Did you had “Å¡morn” for the first time in Slovenia? I’d be surprised if they don’t have it in the USA. After all, they do have pancakes… And I agree; it’s absolutely delicious.

     by Sunshine on February 16, 2007 at 8:25 am

Well, my page’s down right now as certain nice telecom company decided to “upgrade” in a not very nice way… as a result of which the DSL cuts every single day for some hours sorry bout that.

     by Disablez on February 16, 2007 at 8:28 am

Å morn actually aren’t popular in the U.S. I had them here for the first time. And I’ve been lovin’ ‘em ever since.

     by Michael M. on February 16, 2007 at 11:50 am

Incidentally, I read the Croatia vs Slovenia food blog some time back, and at time I wondered how Slovenians would react to it.
The Slovenian stereotype seems to be one of a stingy, miserly people. Is this true? I ask because my interaction with Slovenian people has been very limited; and my Slovenian friend is anything but stingy. Any thoughts?

     by Anonymous on February 16, 2007 at 12:11 pm

From my - by now rather extensive - experiences with Slovenes, I can wholeheartedly say they are NOT stingy nor miserly. Well, there will always be people who fit that profile in any country, but I haven’t encountered them in Slovenija so far. More the opposite. They’ll always ‘convince’ you (in a Mafia kind of way where they would be hugely offended if you didn’t oblige ;)) to eat more, drink more and then have some more. Hardly fits the stereotype.
As far as restaurants go, so far I never had to complain about the food nor its quantity (well, the chinese restaurant outside of Ljubljana was ok - but - not - great), so I’ve been getting value for my money as far as I’m concerned. Perhaps I’m just dining in all the wrong places, hahaha.
Anyway, that’s just my two eurocents…

     by ARF on February 16, 2007 at 1:02 pm

I know Å¡marn only without apples, which I guess is the reason I never thought it was something special…

And: basically, ARF is right: the only problem I ever had/have in Slovenia is how not to explode from having to eat so much when visiting people…

     by alcessa on February 16, 2007 at 1:09 pm

I agree with ARF. If anything, hosts will push you to eat and drink too much, and then seem disappointed if you don’t eat twice your own bodyweight.

I do know that Slovenes among themselves will often joke that people from Gorejnska (Upper Carniola) are very stingy. I’ve never had any firsthand experiences with this, and don’t know where or why it started. But I’ve heard a lot of jokes about them.

     by Michael M. on February 16, 2007 at 1:13 pm

alcessa: Apples make all the difference. I also like raisins in mine, despite generally disliking raisins.

     by Michael M. on February 16, 2007 at 1:16 pm

Michael: does this also make you a lover of apfelÅ¡trudel? Apples and raisins are indded a lovely combination, especially cooked…

     by alcessa on February 16, 2007 at 1:46 pm

@Michael: Think of Gorenjci as Slovene version of the Scots… Living in places where there is (well, was) an extreme lack of everything except snow, one would try to save what precious little assets one has. So a stereotype of Gorenjci being stingy has naturally developed. Especially around Bohinj, I am told

     by pengovsky on February 16, 2007 at 3:38 pm

alcessa: Theoretically I should love apfelstrudel, but for some reason I’ve never had a great one. It’s very odd.

peng: But why doesn’t this apply to other less populated areas, like the east or lower Carniola?

     by Michael M. on February 16, 2007 at 4:29 pm

Maybe because apfelstrudel is not only food, it is also a myth? You know: for a delicious apfelstrudel you need a Mum, a Granny or an Aunt and everyone else’s unanimous verdict that hers is the best apfelstrudel in the world. Also, she has to make it often and if compared to other families’ apfelstrudel, yours is always a bit better. Very soon, apfelstrudel represents something like your family, your childhood and when you move away, you never find the same delicious taste anywhere…

(I’m not being ironic and I’d say I’m not far from the general truth either. I’m sure potica is the same story. Oh. and: it’s my Granny who’s the best )

     by alcessa on February 16, 2007 at 5:29 pm

@ Michael : never had apfelstrudl anywhere in Slovenija all this time? I couldn’t get away from it to save my life every time I’m over there!

@ P : My Scottish friends will thank you dearly for that comparison… Wiv’ a guid stabbin’, ya baisturt! ;):D
Seriously, just like my experience with the part of the Slovene population I’ve met so far, my run- ins with Scots are much the same (and there’s a few of them coming over next weekend, which I’m very much looking forward to, so I can retaliate, sorry, repay in kind) : they’re generous, will fill you up with food and booze and they drink even more generously. Over here, another word for ’stingy’ or ‘miserly’ is ‘Dutch’ by the way :P…

     by ARF on February 16, 2007 at 5:36 pm

@Michael: In less populated areas the population is scarce for a reason… it’s not good to live there Except that Gorenjci seem to have skipped class while this lesson was thaught (OK, I’m being vile)

@ARF: I was talking about the stereotype and why it emerged. While I was in Scotland, however, I got precisely the same impression of the Scots you’re describing. And Gorenjci are just as generous as other Slovenes. Just the stereotype, my friend, just the stereotype…

     by pengovsky on February 16, 2007 at 6:52 pm

My father made Å¡morn (or did he call it Å¡marn…never got his pronunciation correct) when I was younger, and I make it all the time now. So people in North America do make it… well at least my family does.

As for apfelÅ¡trudel, my Staramama made the best, but since her passing a few years ago this honour now goes to my mother… If anyone (read: my mother) dares put a single raisin in the apfelÅ¡trudel I will make a horrible face and put the contaminated biteful into a napkin and toss it (unless I want to be polite I’ll eat the Å¡trudel with as few chews as possible, never letting it touch my tongue…raisins = awfulness)

     by Dave on February 18, 2007 at 7:03 am

You also love baklava?! I knew one could trust you

…and Dave, apfelÅ¡trudel without raisins is no apfelstrudel!!…but it’s Ok, as long as you love the stuff you’re forgiven

     by tessie on February 19, 2007 at 3:38 pm