Täiteks

Täiteks is a term often encountered in Estonian culinary contexts, generally referring to a filling or stuffing. The specific nature of a täiteks can vary greatly depending on the dish it accompanies or is incorporated into. It is not a single, universally defined food item but rather a descriptive category.

For baked goods, täiteks can include sweet or savory mixtures. Sweet fillings might consist of fruit compotes, cottage cheese, poppy seeds, or marzipan, commonly found in pastries like pirukad (small pies) or kringles. Savory täiteks are frequently made with minced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, or rice, and are used in savory pies, dumplings, or as a component of larger dishes.

In the context of meat or poultry dishes, täiteks refers to the stuffing cooked inside the main ingredient. This stuffing might be bread-based, rice-based, or include a variety of herbs, spices, and sometimes fruits or nuts, adding moisture and flavor to the cooked item. The term can also extend to fillings for other food items, such as crepes or certain types of bread. Essentially, täiteks describes the edible material placed inside another food item to enhance its taste and texture.