The Slovak word for Christmas has no mention of Christ in its name, although for many Slovaks it is a religious festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The Slovak Vianoce is similar to the Czech Vánoce, which is believed to have evolved from the German word Weihnachten, meaning 'holy night'. The face of our … Continue reading When you say Christmas in Slovakia
They start at the beginning of September and last until end of November. Goose and duck feasts could be likened to the festival of Thanksgiving in the way they bring together families to celebrate the end of harvest. There are several legends explaining the traditon of goose (and duck) feasts in Slovakia. Some are related … Continue reading Goose and duck feasts
The smallest town in Slovakia has 1526 inhabitants, a medieval castle and a splendid chestnut festival that takes place on the first weekend in October. But how did Modrý Kameň become the Slovak capital of the chestnut? To find the answer, we have to go back to the 16th century, when Modrý Kameň (Blue Stone) Castle was … Continue reading Chestnut desserts from Modrý Kameň
If you made a list of ingredients that most frequently appear in typical Slovak dishes, cabbage would certainly come in a prominent place. Cooked or fermented, it is a staple we use in our kitchens all through the year. To experience the best of Slovak cabbage cuisine and tradition, you need to be in the … Continue reading The best time to visit Slovakia’s capital of cabbage is in October
It was through PEMAK farm that I first learned about the Slow Food movement in Slovakia. I was documenting poppyseed farming for the autumnal book of A Taste of Slovakia when I came across this family-run business in Patince, a small village situated in the southernmost corner of Slovakia, just across the border with Hungary. … Continue reading Slow Food Pressburg
I have mentioned it on a few occasions and now it's official: the second book of A Taste of Slovakia series was launched in Artforum Košice bookshop last week. It looks like the event marked the end of our summer, as the temperatures have dropped sharply in the last couple of days and the strong winds have … Continue reading Introducing autumnal tastes of Slovakia
When I was experimenting with various apple cake recipes for the autumnal book of A Taste of Slovakia series, I made this simple pie filled with apples from my friend's garden. They didn't look as impeccable and glossy as those polished apples you buy in supermarkets, but their scent and taste was so pleasant that the … Continue reading Criss-crossed Apple Pie
The Slovaks have always held bread in high esteem. The old custom of welcoming precious guests with bread and salt is still alive, and so is dožinky (a celebration of cereal harvest) at the end of the summer, which stemmed from a mixture of pagan rituals and religious beliefs associated with gathering in of cereal crops. Under … Continue reading With bread and wine in Trebišov
Regular visitors to Cookslovak site are already familiar with Tatratea, the Slovak tea-based alcoholic drink from under the High Tatras. The Tatratea brand is relatively new, but the tradition of fortified tea drinking at the High Tatras chalets is not. It started centuries ago in the homes of hardy mountain folk, who used herbal tea … Continue reading Sunrays – a summer taste of Tatratea
It took longer than expected, but the second book of A Taste of Slovakia series is finally at the printers. Last week we went to see how the work was progressing and if it was up to the standards we'd set. Jana Kollárová, the graphic designer and a photographer, took a few pictures of the raw … Continue reading A Taste of Slovakia 2 is being born
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