What will we bake for Carnival? Traditional carnival desserts

Lent begins after the Feast of the Three Kings and lasts until Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins. During this period, especially on Shrove Tuesday, people dress up in various costumes and enjoy the joys of Carnival.

In Slovenian cuisine, Carnival brings varied and delicious desserts that have become almost synonymous with the season. Among the most famous and popular traditional carnival desserts are:

1.Doughnuts: They are round, soft and fluffy doughs that are gently fried to a perfect golden brown colour. Their speciality is a rich and sweet filling, most often made of plum jam, but sometimes also of vanilla cream, chocolate or even walnut filling. After frying, they are generously dusted with powdered sugar, giving the final product a distinctive and tempting appearance. The doughnuts are a symbol of carnival exuberance and joy, and their soft, airy texture is the result of a careful and meticulous preparation process that requires the right amount of know-how and experience.

RECIPES for doughnuts

RECIPE: Potica

Old Carnival Anecdotes

Carnival traditions in Slovenia are full of amusing anecdotes and old wives' tales. One of the more famous ones is that you have to eat a lot of doughnuts for Carnival to stay healthy and fat all year round. Another superstition says that girls who eat a lot of doughnuts on Carnival Tuesday will always find it easy to find a groom.

As the end of Carnival approaches, Slovenia is transformed into a land of colour, laughter and tradition. It is a time when the streets come alive with colourful masks, when the kurents symbolically chase away winter with their bells and dancing, heralding the awakening of nature and evoking spring. Children dressed in imaginative costumes march proudly through the streets, singing carnival songs and receiving small gifts - little pennies or delicious doughnuts - in return for their joy and playfulness.

Carnival is not just a time to sweeten up with traditional delicacies, it is a time when communities come together to celebrate the end of winter and welcome the first signs of spring. It is a time to meet neighbours, friends and family members, to share joy and warmth, which further strengthens the sense of community and belonging.