Traditional Albanian kabuni — the sweet festive rice with raisins, walnuts and cinnamon

Kabuni is one of the most beloved desserts of traditional Albanian cuisine, served for centuries at weddings, family celebrations and festive tables in Elbasan, Dibër and beyond. It is a sweet rice cooked in butter, enriched with raisins, walnuts and cinnamon — simple in ingredients, but full of flavour and aroma. The recipe below is enough for 6–8 people.

Ingredients:

• 500 g long-grain rice
• 150 g sugar
• 100 g butter
• 100 g raisins
• 100 g chopped walnuts
• 50 g toasted almonds (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch of salt
• about 1 litre of boiled water

Preparation steps:

1. Wash the rice in several waters until the water comes out clear, then leave it to soften for 20 minutes in cold water and drain it well.
2. In a thick-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat and fry the rice for 3–4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the grains become slightly translucent.
3. Add the sugar, salt and boiled water; let it boil for 2–3 minutes over high heat.
4. Reduce the heat to a minimum, add the raisins, cover the pot with a lid and cook slowly for 18–20 minutes, until the rice absorbs all the water.
5. Remove the pot from the heat, sprinkle the surface with cinnamon, cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 10–15 minutes.
6. Serve the kabuni warm or at room temperature, decorated with chopped walnuts and toasted almonds.

Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6–8 people