At the end of May, Brhlovce “podlievané” buns were added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Slovakia. According to the civic association Nostra Heredita, which helped bring this old recipe to public attention, the inscription is a major recognition of a tradition that the organization strives to preserve, promote, and pass on to future generations.
The preparation and production of Brhlovce podlievané buns are based on historical recipes. They are made within a specific geographical area and are historically linked to this region in the Levice district. The buns are made from yeast dough with either a plum or Nutella filling and are coated with a topping that may be poppy seed, walnut, cinnamon, or cocoa.
The uniqueness of these buns lies in their special method of preparation. They are not baked in an oven but fried in a deep pot using oil or lard. When they are almost fully cooked, they are poured over with lukewarm water and covered with a lid until the water evaporates.
According to oral tradition, these buns were already being prepared in Brhlovce in the 1930s. The recipe was passed down from generation to generation. Homemakers prepared them for various occasions. They were suitable for wedding feasts, honored guests, and everyday meals alike. They were an essential part of communal feather-plucking gatherings (“páračky”), which took place during the winter months. They were also a must-have in households when young carolers came to sing seasonal songs.
The old recipe was revived and brought back into public awareness by Eva Homolová, who, together with the team from the Nostra Heredita civic association, entered the Good Food from Tekov and Hont competition to represent Brhlovce with a traditional regional dish. In 2017, Brhlovce podlievané buns won first place in the competition. The civic association has also helped raise their profile by presenting and selling them at various farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and traditional teamster (wagon-driver) competitions.
Source: TASR
