Slovakia - The Small Country With Very Tasty Food

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Have you ever wondered what the term culinary tradition actually means? Is there a precise definition for this concept? In every country there are culinary traditions and recipes, both centuries ago and today.

Slovakia is a small nation, but its history is turbulent and there are many periods of dependence on other nations that have influenced everything related to it, including culinary traditions. The territory in which the country is now located has been the scene of many historical events and processes - through it passed the border between the Roman Empire and the settlements of the so-called barbarians.

There were created some of the first state structures - the state of Samo, the Principality of Nitra, and later Great Moravia.

The conquest of the country by Hungary played an important role in its further destiny - for more than 900 years Slovakia was part of Hungary when it was a kingdom at that time.

All these events have left their mark on what people in Slovakia are cooking and eating. Most of the country is occupied by high and low tetras, as well as many mountains. From there come the traditional for the country sheep cheeses / see the gallery /.

The most famous cheeses are Parenitsa, Oshchiepok and Brundza. Brindza cheese is an important part of one of the national dishes - branza dumplings. This dish is pieces of dough from raw potatoes and flour, which are boiled in salted water and covered with a thick layer of soft cheese and a large amount of fried bacon.

Boiled dough is used both as a main and as an additional ingredient in most countries in Eastern Europe. In Slovakia, in addition to making dumplings, they also make rezance, which is very similar to noodles, which are often served with a large amount of ground poppy seeds and sugar.

Dumplings are also very popular in the country - whether stuffed with plums, or some of the goulash, which, although of Hungarian origin, are often cooked in Slovakia. Most of the country's urban cuisine is of Hungarian and Austrian origin.

In addition to goulash and pancakes, which are borrowed from Hungarian cuisine, Austrian schnitzels and strudels are also popular in Slovakia. One of the popular desserts there is tradelnik - it is a hollow cylinder of dough with the aroma of lemon and nutmeg, which are baked wrapped around wooden round shapes.

The most famous place where this dessert is prepared is the town of Skalca, located in western Slovakia.

A characteristic feature of the city Slovak cuisine is the abundance of dishes prepared with freshwater fish, which is most often carp, but trout, pike and white fish are also used.

Soups are also an integral part of the locals' menu, especially garlic, lettuce or mushroom soup with sour cream. The most popular soup, however, is cabbage with sauerkraut and various sausages, and sometimes with whole, unpeeled apples.

Beer is a national drink in Slovakia and is not inferior to the Czech one.

However, grapes have been grown in southern Slovakia since the time of Rome and the country enjoys good and interesting white wines, which are mostly made from the Austrian Gruner Veltliner and the Italian Riesling.

Slovakia's difficult historical relations with neighboring countries have created a unique culinary mix of natural conditions, local life and nationalism, which give all foreign dishes a Slovak flavor.