Traditional Romanian food gets boost from EU

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Traditional foods enjoyed by generations of Romanians — including Transylvanian cheese, plum jam and succulent salami, a favorite of the son of late Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu — are getting an unexpected boost thanks to the European Union.

Last month, the EU officially recognized Ibanesti white cow’s cheese, a feta-style cheese produced by farmers in the pastures in northwest Transylvania. Earlier that month, Sibiu salami, the local king of the smoked sausages, also was recognized.

The specially cured sausage was first produced in Transylvania during the 19th century and was prized as an expensive delicacy in the late days of communism as food began to be rationed. Harder in texture than other salamis, it was first made in 1845 and commercially produced by Italian Filippo Dozzi in 1910 in the mountain resort of Sinaia, where it still is made today. Even now, it is the most expensive Romanian salami, costing about 90 lei ($22.70) a kilogram, or $10.32 per pound.