Bulz (Grilled or Baked Polenta Stuffed with Cheese)
Bulz is a traditional shepherd's dish made from firm polenta stuffed with burduf sheep cheese (or feta), shaped into a ball or pear, and cooked over embers, on a grill, or in the oven until the polenta exterior turns golden and crispy while the cheese inside melts completely. A rustic, hearty, and deeply aromatic dish associated with pastoral life in the Romanian mountains.
Servings
4
Prep
15 min
Cook
55 min
Total
70 min
🥘Ingredients
servings
Polenta
Filling
Optional / Variations
✅Dietary Compatibility
Yield
4–5 bulzi
📦Storage
Refrigerator
Up to 2 days before baking (shaped and wrapped in foil); reheat in the oven for 15–20 min at 190°C
Freezer
Can be frozen shaped and unbaked for up to 1 month; bake directly from frozen at 200°C for 35–40 min
🥗Nutrition Facts
Values per bulz (approx. 280g)
Calories
420 kcal
Protein
14 g
Fat
22 g
Carbohydrates
44 g
Fiber
3 g
🍷Pairs Well With
💡Variations
Add diced smoked bacon or fatback to the filling alongside the cheese for a richer, smoky bulz.
Use a mix of burduf cheese and grated kasseri for a creamier filling that is easier to work with.
Fasting version: replace the cheese with mushrooms sautéed with garlic and herbs and omit the butter — the fasting bulz is equally delicious and satisfying.