To celebrate the launch of Elizabeth Gowing’s new book “Travels in Blood and Honey: Becoming a Beekeeper in Kosovo”, culinary anthropologist Anna Colquhoun demonstrated how to cook some of the recipes featured in her book.

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Nettle pie, smoky red pepper relish, honey-drenched baklava, Kosovan wine and honey liqueur were just some of the treats in store for guests at this special event held four days ago to celebrate Elizabeth Gowing’s new book – Travels in Blood and Honey: Becoming a Beekeeper in Kosovo.

Elizabeth Gowing’s new book - Travels in Blood and Honey: Becoming a Beekeeper in Kosovo.

Elizabeth is fascinated by the stories surrounding food.  While Anna Colquhoun taught guests how to make several of the delicious recipes featured in her book, Elizabeth shared tales of her remarkable food adventures in a beautiful country that most people know only as a war.

It was an auspicious evening for nettles too.  So while guests ate with pleasure the nettle pie they made, Elizabeth explained how on 5th May in Kosovo people prepare to celebrate the Orthodox St George’s Day, a celebration of the coming of summer and a time to ensure fertility and health in the year ahead, by gathering nettles to put under their pillow.

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