The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Slovene Foods. If you manage to be in an Slovene restaurant or you are visiting Slovenia, I recommend the following:
1. Štruklji
Štruklji is another traditional Slovenian food made from dough and with a variety of fillings. They can be eaten as an individual dish or as a side dish. They can be prepared with different types of dough, baked or boiled, savoury or sweet. The best-known Štruklji are made with curd cheese, tarragon (‘pehtranovi’), walnuts, apple or poppy seeds.
2. Kremšnita
Kremšnita is a very creamy cake made with whipped cream, custard and a thin layer of puff pastry. It is the star dessert to eat in Slovenia. Although this is the classic version, nowadays different variations have emerged in which chocolate and different flavoured jams are added. It is ideal with coffee or tea.
3. Carniolan Sausage
Carniola sausage is the best known Slovenian food and an almost obligatory Slovenian food to eat. It originated in the Gorenjska region, from where it has spread throughout Slovenia. It is made from various pork meats and bacon, seasoned with salt, garlic and pepper. It is smoked in beech wood and then cooked in hot water. It is served with bread, mustard, sauerkraut, fermented turnip and horseradish.
4. Bujta Repa
Bujta Repa is a traditional Slovenian dish made from pork. It is served all over the country and is a very popular dish among the locals, so it is a dish to eat in Slovenia. It is a stew prepared from the fatty parts of the pig, with grated turnip previously pickled. It is served as a main dish, in a hot pot or can be heated for a couple of days.
5. Idrijski žlikrofi
These small dumplings are filled with potatoes, onions, zaseka (minced and seasoned pork fat), smoked ham and spices. Idrijski žlikrofi’ are an inherent part of the town of Idrija and its mining past, and were created by the miners’ wives. Today, they are served in every restaurant in the town. They are usually served with a lamb or rabbit sauce called bakalca or seasoned with cracklings, butter and cheese.
6. Prekmurska Gibanica
The best known and most popular Slovenian cake is also a calorie bomb made of several layers of apple, walnut, cottage cheese and poppy seed filling. Originally a festive dish served only in the Prekmurje region, it can be found today in cafés and pastry shops all over the country. It is also a protected dish, which means that anyone producing and selling the dough under the name ‘prekmurska gibanica’ must follow the traditional recipe.
7. Cold Cuts With Prosciutto
Cold meats are popular snacks in many restaurants. Particularly delicious are the locally produced sausages and cheeses, such as Karst ham, a meat product protected by geographical indication. Castel ham is a pig’s thigh dried in Castelpor. It is characterised by centuries-old traditions of salting and drying, especially in the Karst, Burda, Vipava, Istria and Tolmin regions. The quality and reputation of this typical Slovenian dish lies in its intense aroma, deep ruby-red colour, juicy and firm texture and salty, sliced ham flavour.
8. Jota
Jota is a strong soup typical of western Slovenia, made with turnip, beans, onions and sometimes smoked pork ribs. These are common ingredients found in the cellars of the cottages. They are easily stored and can be prepared in many ways. Jota can be found all over the country, but with regional variations.
9. Potica
Potica is a traditional dessert served at Easter and Christmas. The dough is made with a sweet filling and then rolled to create a distinctive spiral in the centre. It is traditionally baked in a circular tin called a poticnik. Originally, potica was filled with walnut, honey and tarragon, but today it can be found with chocolate, cheese, hazelnut, poppy and even coconut.
10. Žganci
Žganci is one of the simplest and most popular Slovenian meals. Especially those made from buckwheat flour and richly garnished with cracklings. These are also considered a typical Slovenian farm dish. Žganci is typically served with milk, yoghurt and coffee with milk at breakfast, while for lunch it is mainly served together with boiled sauerkraut, sausages and meat stews.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.