Food of Slovenia

Slovenian Cuisine—Worth the Journey

Great cuisine and wonderful local specialties are a consistent highlight when traveling in the Alps—and especially on an Alpenwild tour, where we choose hotels for their cuisine, and where a la carte dining is a regular feature. On your culinary journey through Slovenia you’ll continue to be delighted both by the variety and quality of the food you’ll eat as well as some exciting new discoveries that are uniquely Slovenian

Living Well. Eating Well

As they say in Slovenia “an empty sack cannot stand upright” which means, it’s hard to live on an empty stomach. To live well, you need to eat well. Which explains why Slovenes are so passionate about food that is lovingly and well prepared. It seems like everyone in Slovenia has their own favorite recipe for potica, a festive and ritual sweet bread.

In the shadows of Alpine peaks and in mountainous rural areas you’ll find hearty cuisine tied to the traditional life of local farmers—flavorful dishes with cheese and pork. In the rural areas, braised beef with cream sauces accompanied by potatoes and onions is frequent fare. Seasoned dumplings, buckwheat polenta, lamb, prosciutto, seafood, cream cakes, sausages, and aromatic soups and stews take center stage in Slovenia’s cuisine. In the resort areas and in the top hotels you’ll see the best of local traditions combine with the best of nearby European cuisine—Viennese pastries, Adriatic seafood dishes, and innovative creations from the best chefs in Europe.

Pumpkin Cream Soup – Bučna juha

Here's a favorite soup you’ll find throughout Europe. It’s served in homes, on farms, in Alpine huts and in fine restaurants. The Slovenian rendition typically has sour cream and is garnished with local pumpkin seed oil—always on hand in a good Slovenian kitchen

Add the pumpkin to the salted water—enough water to cover the pumpkin. While the pumpkin is boiling away, sauté the onions in butter until soft. When the pumpkin becomes soft throughout, mash or puree with a hand blender. Add the garlic and sour cream. Season with nutmeg and pepper. Garnish with toasted black pumpkin seeds and/or pumpkin seed oil. Serves 4.

3 cups pumpkin, peeled and diced
3 cups salted water or stock (vegetable or chicken)
2 Tbs butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
¾ cup sour cream
Nutmeg
Salt and pepper
Pumpkin oil and seeds for garnishing