Slovenian cuisine

Potica pastry as part of traditional Slovenian Easter breakfast

Slovenian cuisine (Slovene: slovenska kuhinja) is influenced by the diversity of Slovenia's landscape, climate, history and neighbouring cultures. In 2016, the leading Slovenian ethnologists divided the country into 23 gastronomic regions.[1]:15 The first Slovene-language cookbook was published by Valentin Vodnik in 1798

Foods and dishes

Plate of various sorts of Slovenian cheese and meat together with garnish

Soups are a relatively recent invention in Slovenian cuisine, but there are over 100. Earlier there were various kinds of porridge, stew and one-pot meals. The most common soups without meat were lean and plain. A typical dish is aleluja, a soup made from turnip peels and a well-known dish during fasting. The most common meat soup is beef soup with noodles, which is offten served on sunday as part of a sunday lunch (beef soup, fried potatoes, fried steak and lettuce) and also on feast days and holidays often there is a option of beef noodle soup of creamy mushroom soup. Pork is popular and common everywhere in Slovenia. Poultry also often featured. There is a wide variety of meats in different parts of Slovenia. In White Carniola and the Slovenian Littoral they eat mutton and goat. On St. Martin's Day people feast on roasted goose, duck, turkey, or chicken paired with red cabbage and mlinci. In Lower Carniola and Inner Carniola, they used to eat roasted dormouse and quail. Until the crayfish plague in the 1880s the noble crayfish was a source of income and often on the menu in Lower Carniola and Inner Carniola.

Dandelion is popular as a salad ingredient in Slovenia and has been gathered in the fields for centuries. Even today dandelion and potato salad is highly valued. Since it can be picked only for a short time in early spring, much is made of it. Families go on dandelion picking expeditions, and pick enough for a whole week. In the Middle Ages people ate acorns and other forest fruits, particularly in times of famine. Chestnuts were valued, and served as basis for many outstanding dishes. Walnuts and hazelnuts are used in cakes and desserts. Wild strawberries, loganberries, blackberries, bilbeberries were a rich source of vitamins. Mushrooms have always been popular, and Slovenians liked picking and eating them. There are many varieties. Honey was used to a considerable extent. Medenjaki, which come in different shapes are honey cakes, which are most commonly heart-shaped and are often used as gifts.

Protected foodstuffs and food products

Idrijski žlikrofi in combination with Goulash

As of June 2015, twenty-two Slovenian foods and food products are protected at the European level:[2]

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Traditional Slovenian dishes

Ajdovi žganci with cracklings
Matevž with roast meat and Sauerkraut

Soups and stews

Vegetarian dishes

Meat dishes

Desserts and pastries

Prekmurska gibanica

Drinks

A Laško beer

References

  1. ↑ Strategija razvoja gastronomije Slovenije [The Strategy of the Development of the Gastronomy of Slovenia] (PDF) (in Slovenian). Maribor Multidisciplinary Research Institute, University of Maribor; Slovenian Tourist Board. May 2006.
  2. ↑ "DOOR". European Commission. 29 June 2015.
  3. ↑ Traditional slovenian cookery. Adamlje Slavko, 1997. Mladinska knjiga. ISBN 8611150449
  4. 1 2 Taste Slovenia. Bogataj Janez, 2007. Rokus Gifts. ISBN 978-961-6531-39-9
  5. ↑ Molokhovets, Elena. Classic Russian Cooking. Indiana University Press, 1998. Page 331.
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