Many dishes are simple and hearty using cabbage, beans, potatoes, meats, poultry, fish and seafood, but will vary depending upon the region of Slovenia. Even today, the slaughtering of a pig is a major celebrated event in the countryside from which many various culinary products are made: white klobasa, blood sausage, roasts, stuffed tripe, smoked sausage, salami, ham, bacon, and the highest quality and prized karst pršut (prosciutto). The oldest Slovene dishes are made from flour and groats.
Most pubs (gostilna) will offer some of the following EU designation of origin-protected Slovene dishes:
- Prleška tünka, a product made of minced lard and pork;
- Ptuj onion, an onion featuring a purple hue along the edge;
- Extra virgin olive oil from the Slovenian Istria region;
- Nanoški sir and tolminc sir, sweet and spicy cow milk cheeses;
- Kočevje forest honey;
- šebreljski želodec, high-quality bacon and pork;
- Idrijski žlikrofi, small boiled dumplings filled with potatoes and onions;
- Prekmurska gibanica, an eight-layer pastry using poppy seed, walnuts, apples, raisins, and ricotta as fillings;
- Belokranjska pogača, a traditional flatbread.
Hotel breakfasts are continental breakfast–buffets. Usually you will have a choice of a roll with jam, honey, butter, cereal, cheeses, fruit, freshly baked bread, sausages, salami, pate, scrambled eggs, yogurt, croissants, and hot tea, milk or coffee. As it is served as buffet you will be able to choose what you like.
Both wine and beer are an important part of the Slovene cuisine. Herb tea, coffee, milk, and juice is also available. Slovenia’s geographic location affords it protection from both the harsh winter climate and from the intense summer heat. The southern foothills of the Alps provide a good micro-climate for viticulture; hence Slovenia’s notable wine growing industry.