Proja / Projara

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Proja is a traditional cornbread made with a combination of cornmeal, salt, and water. As soon as milk, beaten eggs, and butter or oil are added to this peasant dish, it's no longer a cornbread but a savory pie called projara , projanica , razlevak , or muruzara , depending on which part of Serbia you find yourself in. After it has been baked in a pan, projara is typically cut into squares and served warm. It should be crusty on all sides, and since it's a bit dry, it is recommended to pair it with cheese, yogurt, pavlaka , pasulj (bean stew), sauerkraut, sarma , or cracklings. Proja was a peasant staple back in the day, but nowadays it's a common everyday meal.