Do you enjoy a sweet treat anytime during the day?
If you are anything like me, then the answer would be yes! My host town of Skalica [Skŭ-le-sŭ] is the original home to one of the most famous sweet treats in Slovakia. Skalicky trdelnik [skŭ-le-ske tr-del-nik], also known as a chimney cake, has since spread to many places, including neighboring countries.
Beyond the trdelnik, there are many sweet and savory treats offered in shops, bakeries, and at local festivals. These often include poppy seeds, which you may know from American foods like bagels or muffins. It is a well-known product throughout Slovakia and is used in almost everything that the Slovaks make. I couldn’t believe just how many foods can have poppy seeds in them!
In my second week at school, one of my classes gave me Skalicky Trdelnik to welcome me to Skalica. I learned that this cake is often gifted to visitors as a kind way of helping people remember the town. Skalicky Trdelnik was first created in Skalica almost 200 years ago by a chef from Transylvania (a region in Romania that is two countries over from Slovakia) who traveled here. The town is very proud of being the first place of the trdelnik, as you can see from the advertisements for it that are everywhere!
