It’s blissful hour at TOZD bar in Ljubljana. I’m sitting within the shade of an umbrella out entrance, surrounded by Slovenians sipping pints of beer and glasses of wine. The drinks look tempting, however I would like one thing native and ask the waitress for a suggestion. I finally must get my pocket book out, as a result of she spends the following 5 minutes educating me on Slovenian food and drinks.
It takes me three days to get round each certainly one of her suggestions, however I’m blissful to report that waitress knew what she was speaking about. Here’s her information to consuming and ingesting your means by way of Slovenia.
Slovenian craft beer
If you’re consuming Slovenian meals, you’ll wish to accompany it with Slovenian beer (pivo). Slovenian beer is within the midst of a renaissance. Although mass-produced home manufacturers like Lasko and Union nonetheless dominate the market, new microbreweries are regularly popping up and pumping out a spread of high quality Slovenian craft beers. HumanFish Brewery – positioned only a few kilometres outdoors Ljubljana and named after the salamander endemic to Slovenia – is legendary for its fragrant IPA (known as SIPA). You’ll discover this brew in any respect respectable bars throughout the nation. Another brewery making waves is Reservoir Dogs, positioned in Nova Gorica. Although one of many youngest microbreweries within the nation, their beers are quick gaining traction. Don’t go away Slovenia with out making an attempt their Grim Reaper IPA and Warrior Pale.
Sample one of the best Slovenian meals on an Intrepid Real Food Adventure
Slovenian meals: the principle course
Carniolan sausage
For its measurement, Slovenia packs a mighty punch on the gastronomy scene: there are 23 gastronomic areas and 170 distinct dishes claimed by this small central European nation. But it’s the Carniolan sausage that has eternally been a staple of the Slovenian eating regimen. What’s in a Carniolan sausage? Just pork and somewhat bacon. It’s normally served with bitter cabbage, mustard and crusty bread – and is commonly used as an ingredient in stews corresponding to the barley soup pictured on the high of the web page.
Another uber-delicious Slovenian dish is zlikrofi: small boiled dumplings that originated in Idrija (western Slovenia) that look (and style) remarkably much like Italian ravioli. These little morsels of deliciousness are usually full of potato. They’re so yummy, the truth is, that round 50 tonnes of them are produced and consumed every year.
Slovenian wine
Slovenian wine and grapes
Slovenia has been rising grapes and producing wine for 1000’s of years. The nation has over 28,000 vineyards and produces between 80 and 90 million litres of wine yearly. The wine-growing area of Primorska is famend for robust, dry wines, while hearty crimson wines are grown and produced within the Istria area. The Vipava Valley (only one hour from the capital) might be the nation’s hottest wine tasting area, and it’s right here that aficionados can style some indigenous Slovenian wine varieties, corresponding to Zelen, Pinela and Pikolit. But you don’t have to journey to those areas to pattern one of the best Slovenian wine. Ljubljana has its justifiable share of stylish wine bars; it additionally hosts plenty of wine-related occasions through the 12 months, such because the Ljubljana Wine Trail or the Vino Ljubljana International Trade Show.
Slovenian meals: desserts
Potica
Potica is a cross between bread and cake (mainly a nut roll). Made from buttery pastry dough and full of sugar, spices, walnuts and poppy seeds, potica is finest loved with a cup of milk tea or espresso.
Gibanica is a layered cake full of poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, raisins and ricotta. It’s in all probability the most well-liked candy in Slovenia, and is often eaten for breakfast. The cake initially hails from the Prekmurje area within the nation’s far north east (bordering Hungary), however you’ll discover it everywhere in the nation.
Slovenian spirits
While Slovenians love beer and wine, there’s actually just one nationwide drink: schnapps. Called zganje within the native lingo, making the stuff can be a nationwide past-time, and though you should buy factory-made bottles of schnapps in liquor shops and supermarkets, it’s the domestically made zganje brewed in somebody’s storage that’s normally one of the best. Thankfully, you don’t must know anybody to pattern a number of the best schnapps in Slovenia, as a result of you’ll be able to rely on all self-respecting bars throughout the nation to inventory a number of the finest native varieties in all kinds of flavours, together with pear, peach, lemon and blueberry. Na zdravje!
Keen to attempt a few of Slovenia’s most scrumptious dishes? Our Real Food Adventure by way of Slovenia and Croatia might be simply what you’re searching for.