töltelék

Töltelék is a Hungarian word that translates to "filling" or "stuffing" in English. It broadly refers to any mixture used to fill food items before cooking or serving. The specific ingredients and preparation of töltelék vary greatly depending on the dish it is intended for.

Common applications of töltelék include stuffed vegetables, such as peppers (töltött paprika) or cabbage rolls (töltött káposzta). In these cases, the filling often consists of ground meat, rice, onions, and spices, though vegetarian versions are also popular. Töltelék can also be used to fill pastries or dough, creating dishes like stuffed dumplings or buns.

Beyond savory applications, töltelék can also refer to sweet fillings for cakes, pastries, or even fruits. For instance, fruit fillings for pies or strudels would be considered a type of töltelék. The versatility of the term means that almost any food item used to fill another edible item can be referred to as töltelék in Hungarian cuisine. The exact composition is often dictated by tradition and regional preferences.