Previously on our tour of Slovakia, we surveyed the country’s favourite mains and sides, and yesterday we looked at their breads, dumplings and pancakes. Today we round out our trek with a rundown of Slovakian sweets, desserts and beverages. And there’s lots to see!
Makovník: Poppy Seed Roll. Slovaks enjoy it with tea or as a special Christmas Treat.
On our menu today
The Slovak national sweet tooth is right up there with the best the world has to offer! There are lots of fancy breads, cakes and cookies. And when it comes to thirst quenchers of al kinds, Slovakians take back seat to nobody!
Sweets and Deserts
Lokše: Yes, Slovakia’s ubiquitous Potato Pancakes do double duty as desserts! Folks spread them with jam, nut butter, poppy seeds, sugar, and even just melted butter. These rolled goodies are a Slovakian national treasure. A favourite street food found everywhere!
Laskonky: Slovakia’s favourite cookie! Two meringue ‘wafers’ filled with caramel or caramel, chocolate or coffee flavoured butter cream. Sometimes nut or coconut cream.
Most folks don’t make their own – the meringues are a little daunting! But they’re available in virtually every Slovak bakery and pastry shop. Another favourite with a cup of tea or coffee.
Medvedie Labky: ‘Bear Paws’ – Crispy Cookies (see photo, top of page). All these take are flour, sugar, butter, baking soda, ground walnuts and cinnamon. Mix and knead a little until you get a uniform stiff dough. Press into well-greased Madeline moulds and bake. Perfect with tea or coffee.
Šišky: Yeast Raised Doughnut. Historians say this is the original filled doughnut, dating back to the 9th century. Once other countries became aware of these irresistible treats, they quickly created their own versions.
They’re made just like the filled dunkers we get at the doughnut shop here in the West, or with an open cavity in the top which is stuffed with vanilla or chocolate cream, or fruit jams. They can be found dusted with powdered sugar (most common) or dipped in sweet icing.
Makovník: Poppy Seed Cake. Structured like a Swiss Roll or a Jelly Roll, it’s filled with a mixture of poppy seeds, walnuts, almonds, raisins, dried mixed peel, powdered sugar, butter, milk and rum. Slovaks enjoy it with tea or as a special Christmas Treat.
Rýžový nákyp: Baked Rice Pudding. As with all rice puddings, rice is cooked with milk and sugar until creamy. More sugar is creamed with 5 egg yolks are added to the rice and 3 whipped egg whites are gently folded in.
Divide the rice into two equal portions, using half to form a bo0ttom layer in a well-greased and floured (or bread crumbed) baking dish. A layer of fruity is aded (plums are traditional) and the rest of the rice is spread on top. Bake in a pre-heated 350 F oven for 30 minutes. Remover from oven and spread a layer of meringue on top and bake for another few minutes until the meringue is golden at its tips. Let cool before serving.
Žemlovka: Fruit Cobbler. But with a twist: the topping is a Bread Pudding! Apples are the most popular fruit, but plums, pears and peaches are also just fine. This dessert is actually fruit soaked in milk and vanilla and stuffed between 2 layers of bread pudding. White bread is usually used for the pudding. If fresh fruit is not available the pudding can be stuffed with raisins or cream cheese.
Beverages
Borovička: Juniper Berry Brandy. The Slovak analogue to Czechia’s Slivovice. The national spirit.
Tokaj: This is a popular sweetened dessert wine popular throughout Eastern Europe. A special favourite in Slovakia!
Wine: Slovakian wines are considered to be pretty good. Good enough that the government has designated 6 wine producing regions based on the predominant grape variety grown in each. There are 11 officially recognised grape varieties grown, including Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pino Gris, Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer.
Beer: Zlatý Bažant (Golden Pheasant) is the most popular Slovakian beer. But there are many others to try!
Kofola: As we mentioned last week, it’s also the most popular soft drink in Czechia. It’s a herb and spice concoction with a definite anise seed note. Kofola was developed in the 1950s when sinilar western sodas like Coca Cola were banned under Soviet rule.
Vinea: The other ‘national soda’. Made with red or white grapes, it provides a real contrast to Kofola.
Tea: Tea houses are popular, and most stock dozens of types of tea from around the world. There’s at least one in every town.
Coffee: Slovakian Coffee is traditionally strong and consumed black. Coffee houses are common and western coffee shops like Starbucks are making inroads in the capital, Bratislava, and other urban centres.
Now you know everything…
… About Slovakian food and drink. I’d like to spend a month there sometime. But I know I’d still only be able to crack the cover of the Solovakian national cookbook!
~ Maggie J.