This well-known dessert is a traditional dish of Prekmurje, Slovenia’s northeastern region whose recipes have often been inspired by Hungarian and Austrian traditions. According to the Etymological Dictionary of the Slovenian Language, Prekmurska gibanica is a variety of potica, a layered strudel pie characteristic for the eastern part of the country.
The name comes from gibâničnik, a type of pastry basket, or gibâničar, an old Slovenian word for a baker. The oldest written records of Prekmurska gibanica date back to the 1700s when it was first mentioned as gebanza, while another written source from 1828 described it as a dessert that is typically served at weddings.
MOST ICONIC Prekmurska gibanica
View moreTraditionally prepared in western Slovenia, namely the town of Idrija, this popular pasta dish can be described as a variety of ravioli. Žlikrofi are made with two layers of thin pasta dough wrapped around the filling, and apart from their charming shape resembling a bicorne hat, their authentic potato filling is even more distinctive.
Ever since the first references to this delicious Slovenian dish, except for the variations in the filling, the recipe hasn't significantly changed over the years. The oldest written source is found in a 1936 book Naš Idrijski Kot, in which the author describes how the popular žlikrofi were prepared only on special occasions when they were typically filled with potatoes, meat, or turnip mash.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Štruklji is one of the most typical Slovenian dishes, consisting of different varieties of rolled dough that is filled with either savory or sweet ingredients such as cottage cheese, walnuts, apples, and poppy seeds. They can be found throughout Slovenia–in home kitchens, restaurants, and numerous mountain huts. Štruklji can be baked or cooked, and one unique variety of the dish is especially popular during spring and summer, when štruklji are filled with fresh tarragon.
Originally, the dish was prepared at celebrations and festivities in order to celebrate the end of hard labor at the farms, and the practice was present until the 1930s, when people started making štruklji throughout the year.
VARIATIONS OF Štruklji
Gobova juha is a traditional mushroom soup. Although there are many variations, the soup is usually made with a combination of wild mushrooms, onions, garlic, butter, flour, potatoes, white wine or wine vinegar, bay leaves, marjoram, salt, and pepper.
The onions are sautéed in butter and then mixed with flour and garlic. The mushrooms are cut into chunks and added to the pot with water, marjoram, bay leaves, potatoes, salt, and black pepper. The soup is simmered over low heat until the potatoes become tender.
Ajdovi žganci is the national dish of Slovenia, consisting of buckwheat flour and water. The word žganci is derived from žgati, meaning to burn. Originally, the dish was a basic meal for most people, a breakfast used to provide the daily nutrients and energy to farmers for their hard work during the day. Žganci was consumed as a substitute for bread, while the leftovers used to be toasted with lard the following day, so that no food went to waste.
Today, the dish can be found throughout the country, but it is prepared differently in each region of Slovenia. It is commonly served with sauerkraut and grilled sausages on the side. Ajdovi žganci are considered the ultimate comfort food on cold winter days.
Krapfen was probably the first European-style doughnut to appear, followed by similar varieties in other countries. These pastries are traditionally prepared with leavened dough that is deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, while they remain soft, light, and airy on the inside.
Though krapfen can be prepared plain, they are most often filled or topped with jams, and vanilla or chocolate custards, while the top is usually dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate. The origin of the word krapfen dates back to 9th century, and the recipes in German can be found as early as the 14th century.