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Slovenia is a country on the Balkan Peninsula surrounded by mountains and the sea. The climate here is very mild and warm, which attracts many tourists from all over the world. After visiting the sights and enjoying the picturesque views, guests of the country dream of a delicious lunch or snack. What to try in Slovenia as national distinctive dishes?
Slovenian cuisine has been influenced by Austrian, German, Italian, Hungarian and Slavic cuisines, giving the country several of its own recipes.
Oak soup
This national Slovenian soup is made from porcini mushrooms. Other types of mushrooms may also be present in the recipe. Potatoes, onions, carrots and cream, sometimes white wine to add some piquancy to the soup are also essential ingredients in the soup. Often gobova juha is served on a loaf of bread instead of on a regular plate.
Kranjska sausage
In Slovenia, this dish takes pride of place and has the status of a masterpiece of national importance. In the 20th century, this sausage even won a gold medal at the international food exhibition. The sausage recipe is strictly regulated by the Slovenian government. This dish contains pork, bacon, garlic, sea salt and several other ingredients. Kranjska sausage lends itself to the smoking process and is usually accompanied by sauerkraut or stewed cabbage, pickled turnips and hot sauces.
Iota
Another Slovenian national soup, iota, is made from sauerkraut or turnips, potatoes, bacon, flour and all kinds of spices. In coastal areas, the soup may contain different spices and sweet carrots. This hearty first course was invented by Slovenian peasants, and over time it migrated to almost all homes in the country.
Prata
Prata is a type of pork roll traditionally prepared for Easter. For its preparation, a pork neck is taken, which is mixed with spices, bread and eggs, and then baked in the pork intestine with the addition of cream or butter.
Prosciutto
Pork ham is smoked by Slovenes, smoked or dried, previously rubbed with a huge amount of salt. The secret of prosciutto is kept secret, and therefore a real Slovenian ham can be tasted only in this country. The recipe for the meat came from the inhabitants of the mountainous regions, where the pork was dried in the wind and sun.
Gnocchi
Potato dumplings are popular in the seaside part of Slovenia. They are prepared with potatoes, eggs, flour, salt and always nutmeg. Some recipes contain pumpkin, which makes the dumplings unusual. Slovenian dumplings are served as a side dish or main dish, sometimes mixed with meat sauce or soup.
Chompe en lap
Numerous gastronomic festivals are dedicated to this dish. Chompe an scuta is a peeled potato and cottage cheese. The combination of flavors is quite unusual. The dish appeared in the 19th century in the Bovec region of the country.
Dumplings
The dish resembles dumplings, although it has nothing to do with them. Strukli can be stuffed with meat, apples, cheese, nuts, vegetables, berries, cottage cheese. There are about 70 recipes for this dish, and the basis is yeast potato dough with the addition of buckwheat flour.
Gibanitsa
One of the most popular desserts in Slovenia, prepared for any festive occasion. This layered cake consists of 10 layers filled with apples, cottage cheese, poppy seeds, nuts, vanilla or raisins.
Encouragement
Another famous dessert is a nut roll with poppy seeds and honey based on yeast dough. Potica is called the “Ambassador of Slovenia”, as numerous tourists take the recipe of this pie back to their homeland, it is so incomparable.