Cepelinai[1] (lit.singular: cepelinas) or didžkukuliai are potato dumplings made from grated and riced potatoes and stuffed with ground meat, dry curd cheese or mushrooms. It has been described as a national dish of Lithuania,[2][3] and is typically served as a main dish.[1]
"zeppelins";The name of cepelinai comes from their shape that resembles of a Zeppelin airship.[1] Cepelinai are typically around 10–20 cm long, although the size depends on where they are made: in the western counties of Lithuania, cepelinai are made bigger than in the east.[citation needed] In Samogitia, cepelinai are called cepelinā.
After boiling, the cepelinai are often served with sour cream sauce and bacon bits[1] or pork rinds.
In the Suwałki Region, Podlachia, Warmia and Masuria, it is known as kartacz (pol. : grapeshot). It is a part of the cuisine of north-eastern Poland.
Similar dishes include Polish pyzy, Swedish kroppkaka, Acadian poutine râpée, Norwegian raspeball, German Kartoffelklöße and Italian canederli.