According to their website, the organisation’s mission is to hold together the Hungarian diaspora by providing a place where Hungarians and Hungarian-Americans can practise their culture and language as well as experience and maintain their Hungarian identity. The Hungarian House of New York is operated by three non-profit organisations: the American Hungarian Library and Historical Society, the Széchenyi István Society and the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris. They hold around 350 community programs each year, although most of them are online events. They organise Hungarian folk dance days, educational programs for children and their parents and youngsters can even join a Hungarian scout troop.
The aim of the 110-year-old United Magyar House is to strengthen the bond between members of the Hungarian community living in Los Angeles and its neighbourhood. They gather on national holidays to celebrate together; some of these events are even attended by prominent figures from Hungary. They place great emphasis on nurturing traditions and acquainting the new generation with the centuries-old Hungarian customs. In the past, they organised Omega tribute concerts and dinners. The organisation makes sure to keep its members updated about Hungarian services available in the region such as folk dance clubs or Hungarian import shops and delis.
The Hungarian Club was established in Colorado in 1963 with the purpose to strengthen and bring together the local Hungarian community. They organise numerous programs annually and they are one of the most active Hungarian Houses in the USA. Book lovers can get acquainted with masterpieces of Hungarian literature when joining the book club which has been operating since 2005. In the summertime, members can get together during monthly picnics organised by the club.
The American Hungarian Heritage House is dedicated to providing a cultural and intellectual space for people of Hungarian descent who live in Washington and the surroundings. They want to keep the Hungarian values alive, therefore, they commemorate important dates such as the day of the ’56 Hungarian Revolution. Their website has a small blog where visitors can read about historical and gastronomical subjects related to Hungary. The organisation also places importance on research programs. Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, they used to organise dances and poetry nights.
The San Diego-based House of Hungary awaits visitors in the historic Balboa Park who want to learn about Hungarian customs, traditions, history and culture. They organise many cultural activities for their members in order to promote Hungarians’ rich cultural heritage. It is a great place to taste some traditional food as well as they offer local dishes along with pastries and refreshments on Saturdays and Sundays between 12-4. Adults and children can also take free Hungarian language courses. Besides, they hold art workshops and concert video screenings all linked to Hungarian art.
Birthdays have gained international acceptance as our ‘special day’ of the year when we receive gifts and flowers and have parties in our honour. Birthdays are seen as some of the major milestones in our lives, while name days get little to no attention. If you have grown up in a culture where the latter was the norm, it may come to you as a surprise that in Hungary, also name days take the cake and are to be enjoyed with joie de vivre surrounded by friends and loved ones. But where does this tradition come from?
According to divany.hu, Hungarians can give virtually any name to their children as long as MTA (Hungarian Academy of Sciences) approves their requests. And boy, they are creative. Hannibal and Ramszesz are currently popular registered names for boys while girls can be lawfully called Pomponia (just to follow the ancient theme), Sanel (which most probably comes from the couture brand, Chanel) or Sáfrány (saffron in English). Those who are not good at remembering important days can get a little help from florists’ websites where they list each name day according to the dates in the calendar.
Where do name days come from?
In many parts of the world, people have never heard of such an unusual tradition as celebrating one’s name day. This custom is closely linked to religion and has been around already since the Middle Ages. Name days were the days when a saint, martyr, or otherwise holy person was commemorated by the Christian Church. For example, on the day of Katalin, 25 November, we remember the dreadful martyrdom of Saint Catherine of Alexandria in 305 AD.
The legend has it that she was an educated young girl of noble origin, possibly a princess. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius fell in love with Catherine and intended to take her for his wife. He demanded that she renounce her new faith and ordered 50 philosophers to persuade Catherine to change her mind. But instead of winning her over, Catherine converted them to Christianity whereupon the emperor had the philosophers burned alive. The same thing happened to the 200 soldiers Maxentius sent to her. However, the emperor did not take no for an answer and in the end, he had the young woman beheaded.
On the day of Santa Claus, the 6th of December, we celebrate those who are named Miklós remembering Saint Nicholas, the early Christian bishop of Greek descent
while on the day of Márton we commemorate Saint Martin bishop, also called Martin the Merciful, who lived around the 4th century just like the two previously mentioned saints.
The more traditional names with a religious background appear more than one time in the name day calendar. The reason behind this is that the different churches — Catholic, Calvinistic and Lutheran — designated different days for each saint. Hence, we can celebrate the day of Katalin on four different occasions, the 15th of August, the 8th or 12th of September or the 8th of December. When you have a friend called Péter or László, it can be also tricky to know on which day that person celebrates his name day, as these names appear multiple times in the calendar.
We usually await our own and our friends’ or loved one’s name days with great anticipation. Namedays also provide good opportunities to express our love or admiration towards colleagues or acquaintances that we are not that close to. Those who were not invited to the family gathering can still surprise the celebrated person with a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of wine. Even though it gives a good opportunity to throw a party and let the good times roll, the majority of the nations do not celebrate name days.
In Poland, name days are widely celebrated and have traditionally been given greater importance than birthday celebrations.
However, most people in the Netherlands, France, Croatia, Slovenia, UK and US have probably never heard of this tradition. Interestingly, Germans used to celebrate name days but they do not keep them anymore after WWII. On the other hand, Slovakians, Romanians, Serbians, Bulgarians, Greeks and the Czechs would not miss the occasion to give a toast to their loved ones on their name days.
The preservation of tradition only makes every nation stronger, and this is also true of Hungary. This is especially true when it comes to carrying on a folk tradition so spectacular that our young people are admired all over the world. And as long as our traditions are alive, the Hungarian nation is alive, both at Hungary and abroad.
Interestingly, the Easter Monday celebration has no particular significance in the Christian church. The most popular folk custom associated with this day is watering:
In the old days, girls were taken to a well or trough in the countryside and doused with buckets, which had fertility charms and also referred to the purifying properties of water.
This tradition is still kept to this day by Hungarians, and men who nowadays prefer to throw cologne or soda water bottles are given red or creamed eggs by the girls for watering, but they also receive a hearty treat for visiting friends, relatives, and neighbours.
In many countries, Easter egg decorating has become an established tradition, and Hungary is at the forefront of this too.
Easter is the most important Christian holiday. During this religious holiday, people celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of course, many Hungarian customs and traditions are also connected to this. Painted eggs, sprinkling, and all kinds of delicious food are all part of a traditional Hungarian Easter.
Church customs
There are many church customs associated with Easter. On Good Friday, you can see the passion play in churches, showing the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Holy Saturday is the day of the consecration of fire and water. Churches are filled with people all over Hungary on Easter Sunday and Monday. There is a procession after the service.
The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday.
Hungarians remember this with catkins. Easter also ends the 40-day fasting period.
Egg painting
The egg is an ancient symbol of fertility. It became a symbol of rebirth and resurrection in Christianity. It is a popular tradition to decorate eggs in different ways as part of the Easter preparations. In the past, people painted the eggs with different natural dyes. Today, a number of artificial colouring aids help egg painters. Some regions in Hungary had different decoration techniques, writes magyarorszagom.hu.
You can decorate eggs with the help of wax, chisel or even onion peel.
According to tradition, boys visit the houses where girls live. During the visit, they sprinkle women with water and cologne, accompanied by poems. The basis of the habit is the cleansing and renewing power of water, writes edenkert.hu. In the countryside, people still use well-water, but in cities, cologne is more popular.
In exchange for sprinkling, the boys get red eggs and chocolate from the girls.
The main protagonist of the Hungarian Easter meal is the Easter ham. Pork thigh is a popular dish in Hungary, whether salted or smoked. It is usually accompanied by radish, eggs, spring onions, and horseradish.
The braided yeast bread is a must for Easter.
Try the unique tastes of Hungarian Easter. You can also find vegan and non-vegan recipes on our site.
Dyeing and painting eggs are important parts of the traditional Hungarian Easter celebrations. There are several types of egg decorations. In this article, we present three techniques: batik, ‘egg writing’, and scratching.
Batik (batikolás, berzselés)
Painted eggs with batik technique. Source: Wikipedia Commons/Rlevente
One of the easiest ways to dye eggs, batik, can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Below, you can find the five most important steps of batiking eggs, according to szhelyi.blogin.hu.
Hard boil as many eggs as you want to paint.
Gather lots of onion skins. Pour water over the onion skins to cover and bring the whole mixture to a boil in a large saucepan.
Look around the garden (or anywhere else) for parsley leaves, clovers or any small green leaves with a pretty shape that you would like to see on your painted eggs.
Get a pair of old, worn-out stockings that you no longer want to wear. Cut them into 15 cm pieces. Dampen the leaves, place them on top of the already dry, cooked egg, and wrap the whole thing tightly in the stocking.
Then carefully place the eggs in the onion-peeled boiling water and leave them to rest until you get the colour you like. Once taken out of the water, you can carefully peel off the stocking.
Rub it with bacon fat or oil to give it a nice shine.
Painted eggs made with the ‘egg writing’ technique. Source: Wikipedia Commons/Rlevente
Photo:
MTI/Veres Nándor
Photo:
MTI/Veres Nándor
Another, a bit more difficult but equally beautiful technique to paint eggs for Easter is ‘egg writing’ (írókázás). This how-to recipe is by tarkafirka.blog.hu.
You will need an egg-writing tool (known as kesice, íróka), which you can easily make yourself or buy for a few hundred forints in hobby or craft shops.
Next up, you will need beeswax. The best way to do ‘egg writing’ is to use beeswax, which you can buy from beekeepers (or from the market honey seller), candlemakers or on the internet.
The egg to be decorated is blown out (both the white and the yolk), cleaned, and degreased.
Put a pot of water on the stove and put a metal bowl in it. Melt the wax in the bowl, keeping the water boiling underneath while you work (water needs to be refilled from time to time) so that the wax is always in a molten, easily flowing state.
Hold the handle of the writing tool like a pencil, dip the beak into the fully melted, hot beeswax, and draw the lines, holding it perpendicular to the egg surface. Draw the vertical first, then the horizontal dividing circles and the auxiliary lines, followed by the motifs. You can draw any pattern you like on the egg.
When it is done, let it dry.
Try to carefully cut and scrape off the wax layer with a sharp knife. Melt the residue by turning it over a flame (such as a burning candle), and then soak it up with a paper towel. When melting the wax, do not hold the egg too close to the flame, as it will burn.
One of the easiest ways to paint Easter eggs is by scratching. First, you have to paint the eggs. The preparation steps were provided by agroinform.hu.
Photo: MTI/Veres Nándor
Paint the eggs with onion skins in the way it was described above, except that this time, do not put leaves on them and do not put them in stockings.
After they are done, let them cool.
Use a sharp knife to carve patterns that you like on the already painted eggs.
That is it, well done!
We hope you could find at least one technique that you can try this Easter. Have fun, and Happy Holidays!
Easter is coming soon, so it is time to prepare ourselves and make the most of this beloved occasion. Besides the well-known traditions of Easter sprinkling, eating ham, eggs, and sweets at the festive breakfast with the family, there are some superstitions that can bring us good luck, abundance, and love for the whole year. Let’s see the most important dos and don’ts at Easter time in Hungary.
Dos
Eat eggs with your loved ones
Hungarians believe that at Easter, we should eat an egg with someone who is extremely close to us. This way, even if we don’t see each other the following year, we will surely find our way back to each other.
Wearing new clothes
Superstition has it that if you wear new clothes at Easter, you will have good luck all year round. So, it is worth getting a few new pieces ready for the spring holidays.
Taking a cool shower
Bathing in cold water on the first day of Easter will keep you fresh and healthy all year round. This superstition is probably the basis for the Easter sprinkling.
Put the leftovers away for the next day
If you have any leftover food at Easter, put it away for the next day, as it is believed that they have magical powers. Similarly, cakes and breads baked at Easter also have supernatural powers, according to superstition.
Decorated eggs
Besides Easter leftovers, decorated eggs are also believed to have magical powers. Therefore, it is worth preparing some, perhaps as decoration. Those who are looking for love can decorate the festive table with red eggs.
If you receive an invitation at Easter, be sure to accept it, otherwise you will never get another offer like that one, reported Hír.ma.
Don’ts
Don’t wear clothes inside out
It is believed that wearing a piece of clothing inside out at Easter can bring you bad luck for the rest of the year.
No honey
According to folklore superstition, it is not advised to consume honey on Easter Sunday and Monday, as it can take away your luck.
Don’t meet any squirrels
Why squirrels? It is not known, however, it is believed that the tiny, cute animal can bring bad luck if it crosses your path at Easter. Besides squirrels, superstition has it that at Easter, you should not take care of any animal, as this activity can bring you bad luck. Still, do not forget to feed your dog or cat during the Easter holidays! 😉
Don’t wash clothes
Leave the unwashed clothes for after the holidays. According to the superstition, you should not wash your clothes at Easter because you will be unlucky and struck by lightning.
Avoid these household chores
On Easter morning, do not sweep in or around the house because you will sweep away your luck with it. Additionally, do not shake out your blanket that day either because it can bring you bad luck.
When we were young, we would listen in awe to the incredible adventures the protagonist had to go through to gain the hand of the youngest but most beautiful daughter of the country lord. In one minute we would roll in laughter while in the next we would be crippled with fear for what would happen next in the story. Nearly every nation, including Hungarian, carries a treasure bag of folk stories. Unfortunately, in recent times we seem to let these valuable pieces fade into oblivion. However, traditional fables should not be taken only as remaining fragments of a distant withered era, but instead valuables pieces of wisdom we inherited from our ancestors. Let’s look at some important lessons we can learn from Hungarian folk stories.
Be helpful and considerate to others, kindness pays off at the end
In the story of The little swineherd, the protagonist sets on a mission to marry the youngest daughter of the old king. He keeps walking for several long days on the dry lawlands to reach the castle until he runs out of all his food and water. He is desperate to quench his thirst and luckily finds a well with two doves resting on it. He turns to the birds with the determination to eat them, however, the doves beg him to spare their lives. They promise to help him in return for his good deed. He continues his journey until he encounters a limping fox that cannot run away. The fox begs him to spare his life and, in return, he will owe the little swineherd a big favour. The little swineherd has a soft heart so he lets the fox go. At this point, he is starving so much that he nearly faints from hunger. At the next stop, he spots a small fish in the lake that convinces the young man that he will be forever grateful for his decision if he has mercy on the fish and will not eat it. The little swineherde finally makes it to the castle where the king challenges him that the only way to win his daughter’s hand is by finding the ultimate hideaway where she cannot spot him. The animals, as promised, all volunteer to help the young man. The fox takes him beneath the deepest layers of the Earth, the little fish tucks him at the deepest corner of the lake but all efforts are in vain, the princess can still find him. Finally, the doves turn the young man into a rosebud, and thus he succeeds in passing the test and marries the gorgeous princess.
Listening and retelling folk stories are not just entertaining but can be also beneficial in other surprising ways, even if we have long passed the years of believing in fairy tales. Hungarian folk stories often teach us valuable lessons on how to treat people we encounter in, perhaps, challenging stages of our lives. Many of these traditional fables convey the common message that on the journey to reach our ultimate goal we should remember to be helpful and considerate towards other living beings as well, no matter in what form or shape they appear.
Being compassionate or giving a helping hand to someone in need can be very powerful, and it is also backed by science. Kindness is a key to how the human species evolved and survived over 300,000 years. Studies demonstrate that even a small act of kindness can improve our health. Neuroscientists found that in people doing more acts of kindness, the genes that trigger inflammation were turned down more than in people who do not. Participants also reported feeling emotionally better and happier, in general. Many of us spend hours worrying about our jobs, family, or physical appearance but when we direct our attention to someone else’s problems we forget our own for a while. Our act of kindness will always pay off at the end, although perhaps in unusual ways we did not anticipate.
Give everyone at least a chance, you may be in for a positive surprise
In the tale of Pussycat (Macskacicó), the old king throws three wands in the air and the places each falls point to the directions the three princes have to take to find a bride. The two older princes confidently head to the nearby castles of two famously beautiful baronesses, however, luck does not seem to favour the youngest son. He ends up in a deep dark forest where he even gets lost in the dense vegetation. To his surprise, suddenly a pussycat crawls out under the bushes and quizzes the prince why he looks so gloomy. He explains to her what weights on his heart for which the pussycat proposes to become his bride. First, the prince has a good laugh but in the end he gives in. The pussycat passes all the tests of the old king, such as sewing an embroidered handkerchief or presenting a flower bouquet, with flying colours. Finally, the day comes when the sons have to present their brides in front of the king. The young prince is terrified for embarrassment and ridicule what he would face, but the pussycat reassures him not to worry a bit and instead take a short nap. By the time he wakes up, the feline has magically transformed into the most gorgeous princess the young man has ever laid an eye on. It turns out that all this time she was living under the spell of a curse which rendered her to remain a pussycat until a prince comes along and agrees to marry her.
This tale contain another important piece of advice which is giving at least a chance for everyone until they prove themselves unworthy. At times, we should remind ourself that most likely we would not be where we are now if someone did not give us a chance. Whether we accept the fact or not, someone we know, although perhaps not directly, allowed us to reach this current stage we are at. They saw the potential in us, and believed we could do it even though we may not have had enough experience or competence at that time. We should be grateful for the precious chances that have been granted to us and try to be generous when it is our turn to say yes to someone. Maybe it is a chance at a career that person always wanted, or a chance at falling in love, or the opportunity to pitch their business to investors, or the chance to perform their art in front of hundreds of people.
We are living in a culture where we often instantly judge others instead of trying to first imagine ourselves in their shoes. Naturally, it is easier to judge than to understand another person as understanding requires compassion, patience, and willingness to believe in their good intention or skills. Reading these fascinating fictitious tales may get us thinking about the chances we can give to other people. Remember, the world works in mysterious ways and the chance you gave today to someone may come back to you the next day in some weird and wonderful ways.
Explore new ways of dealing with an issue by using your creativity
The tale of The stone soup (A kőleves) tells the story of a soldier who has just returned from the war exhausted and hungry and now roams around the villages in the search for a few bites. Sadly, no one invites him in for a warm bowl of soup or a piece of bread, seeing his shaggy clothes and weather-beaten face. Some people pretend to be poor while others even hound their dogs to chase him away. The poor soldier is at his wit’s end when he spots the last house at the end of the village. Led by a sudden idea, he grabs a piece of rock and knocks at the door with newly found determination. An old woman steps outside who, for the soldier’s query, replies that she has nothing in the kitchen to offer him as she is as poor as a church mouse. To make a final attempt, the soldier asks the old woman if she could lend him a pot at least to make a stone soup on the stove. She agrees, and the soldier starts boiling the pot of water along with the piece of stone. Upon tasting it, he says that it is still missing a pinch of salt. The old woman volunteers to help him out which spurs the crafty soldier on. He decides to make another bold move and asks for a spoon of pig fat followed by a potato, some rice, and then finally two fat pieces of sausage. The soup turns out marvelously at the end, and the old woman insists on buying the piece of stone since it gave such a good flavour to the meal. The soldier leaves the house with a full stomach and some money in his pocket.
This fable perfectly demonstrates how a little creativity and out-of-the-box thinking can go a long way. The way we deal with our problems has to do largely with our personality type. However, there are certain life situations when our inherent dealing strategy does not prove to be fruitful or effective, and such cases call for a change! The symbolic and archetypal patterns present in folk stories can be helpful in these challenging times. Stories can tap the accumulated knowledge in our subconscious and bring it up to the surface. While children intuitively experience the events of both real life and fiction, adults prioritise practicality and reasoning. Stories can release our subconscious, and by using free-flow associations, we can analyse and work out how the method the main character chooses can be perhaps altered and applied to our own problems.
The various creative scenarios on how the protagonist succeeds to overcome a seemingly impossible situation may inspire us to let our imagination soar and look for new ways we have not yet explored. It gives us the ability to approach an issue from different angles, rather than a simple, linear logical approach. Reading colourful fictional stories encourages our creativity and brings out new ideas. And with enhanced creativity and imagination our problem-solving skills also improve which will help us flourish both in our private and professional life.
Hungarian folk stories tell us important life lessons that can be still applied in modern days and, therefore, they should be passed down to the next generations. These traditional fables should be viewed as an earnest grandmother or grandfather who carries the knowledge of a lifetime and is always there for us when we need advice. Folktales give strength and hope for both young and old, acting like a strict yet fair teacher who always makes sure to sprinkle in some magic between his words. Cherish these marvelous fables while they are still around, tell and retell them to your children or grandchildren so they can carry on the legacy.
Weddings are events where you can truly learn about the traditions, habits and rites of a nation because they are centered around them.
The Hungarian wedding culture looks back on a rich history, so we thought we would collect some traditions that characterised weddings back in the day. Of course, these traditions could be slightly different around the country depending on the region or the partaking families.
According to Mrsale, one difference between the wedding of old times and today is that while modern weddings are typically held during spring or summer, back in the old days they rather chose the Hungarian carnival season, when there was not much work on the lands.
One of the most important people besides the bride and groom was the vőfély, similar to a best-man, who was typically a friend or relative of the groom’s family. He was the master of ceremonies throughout the wedding.
It is important to mention that wedding celebrations lasted for three days and the church ceremony was an essential part; civil weddings only became popular after the socialist era.
1. Traditional marriage proposal
According to the tradition, the man had to visit the house of the girl he wanted to marry, place a piece of clothing called szűr – which is a decorated jacket of sorts – on the fence and then walk a couple of circles around the house. If the szűr was taken inside by the time he arrived back to the fence, then the man would go in and ask for the girl’s hand from the father and then they would agree on the dowry.
Szűr Source: Wikimedia Commons / Magyar Iparművészet.
2. Asking for the bride
Back in the old days, the vőfély would go to the house of the bride and ask for her on behalf of the groom and thank the family for raising the bride, magyarországom writes.
However, they also liked fortune telling in the old days. The friends of the groom would visit the bride’s house the night before the wedding with a rooster. The family of the bride would offer them an old hen, then a baby chick and lastly a young hen. The men should turn down the first two offers and only accept the last one. If the rooster and the young hen got along favourably, it meant good fortune and many children.
Based on this tradition, men would give a handmade or bought kerchief, comb, ring or gingerbread to the girl they were in love with. Free choice marriages were rare, usually, it was a matter of arrangement, so even men whose love was not reciprocated could give gifts to young unmarried women.
Kelengye Source: Wikimedia Commons / Frank C. Müller
4. The kelengye
The wardrobe containing the girl’s kelengye or dowry was shown to the groom and his family. The dowry mainly meant lace or embroidered pieces of decorative cloths, curtains, sheets and clothing.
The bride received the iconic tulipános láda (a cupboard decorated with tulip motifs), which she would put the dowry into, Mrsalewrote.
Tulipános Láda from Harta Source: Wikimedia Commons / Leitheiser.F
5. Kalács instead of cake
Traditionally, in Hungarian weddings, the newlyweds would break kalács (braided bread) instead of slicing a cake and the kalács would often be consecrated beforehand. The couple would then divide the kalács between the guests as a symbol of sharing happiness and fortune. The cake has been only present since the socialist regime.
After the ceremony, during the march to the couple’s new home (usually the home of the groom), people in the village who were invited would come out to the street and welcome the couple by singing or blessing them. Then a few members of the wedding ceremony would go around offering scones or other snacks.
Often, after the couple arrived at their new home, the groom’s mother-in-law would offer them honey which symbolised joy and sweet love.
Wedding in 1958
Photo: Fortepan / Bauer Sándor
Wedding in 1940 Photo: Fortepan / Ebner
Wedding in 1938
Photo: Fortepan / Gál Mihály
6. Bolondmenyasszonytánc (Mad-bride dance)
Often, one man from the guests would dress up as the bride and would invite the others to dance with him, while another person would go around with a hat to collect money for the couple.
In other places, it was the bride who danced with the guests while the vőfély would shout that the bride is for sale, writes Magyarországom. People would give their wedding presents and the groom and the mother of the bride would collect each as a symbolic price for a dance with the bride.
The couple would sleep together in a room where the bedsheets were changed to clean white sheets. The next morning, they would check the bedsheets to see whether the bride was a virgin beforehand. Sometimes, they had to resort to trickery so the sheets were stained with a little chicken blood.
Wedding in 1942
Photo: Fortepan / Vámos Eszter
Wedding in 1931
Photo: Fortepan / Zsohár Zsuzsa
Wedding in 1930
Photo: Fortepan / Bujdosó Géza
8. Breaking plates
According to common belief, this tradition in essence comes from similar roots to the Busójárás or the celebrations of the carnival season in general. It was believed that loud noises would scare away bad spirits.
When the bride arrived at the wedding party, she would break a plate or a pot and the couple would try to clean up the pieces while the guest would kick them around to make it harder for the couple.
9. Stealing the bride
At some places it is a tradition that the friends of the groom would try to steal the bride. If this happens, the groom will have to accomplish some funny tasks, to get his loved one back, Eskuvo.online writes.
Most often the groom has to drink champagne from the shoe of the bride or praise his mother-in-law, to sing or to dance with a broom.
In some weddings, however, the friends of the bride could also steal the groom, making the bride do some funny tasks.
With the end of the winter season approaching, more and more people want to go outside, and more and more outdoor programmes are becoming available. As people decide to venture out from their cosy homes due to the weather turning warmer, outdoor programmes such as different special markets start to pop up more frequently.
With the help of Magyarországom, we have compiled a few interesting markets you should visit if you happen to be in Budapest.
Kiskertpiac is a market offering an interesting mix of plant, flower, gastronomic and natural products. Starting from March 6, this peculiar market will be organised twice a month in ANKERmarket, a slow market and meeting point in the terrace and inner spaces of MADHOUSE.
Photo: Facebook.com/kiskertpiac
Photo: Facebook.com/kiskertpiac
Photo: Facebook.com/kiskertpiac
Photo: Facebook.com/kiskertpiac
In Kiskertpiac, you can browse from beautiful flowers and plants to decorate your home or your garden to handmade products crafted with care and made from natural materials that are the perfect gift for your loved ones or the new focal piece of your living room décor.
1061, Budapest, Anker köz (alleyway)
Flea markets
Flea markets are the perfect place for people who know what they are looking for, people who just love to look around and wander, or people who are looking for inspiration.
While most people think you can only find used junk at a flea market, you might be mistaken. With a city like Budapest that has a long and rich history, a capital that went through a lot over the past century, you might find historical gems you have never thought could even exist, from old cameras to books, photographs or even silverware.
Magyarországom recommends two flea markets to check out; the first one is the flee market in Kőbányai Kortárs Kultúr Központ (Kőbánya Contemporary Cultural Centre), which will be held on March 13, in the inner yard of a former textile factory.
The second one is the Flea and Vintage Market at Népsziget. On the last Sunday of every month, they organise a flea market in the warehouse of ATNO Forge, which was once a motorbike workshop.
1044, Budapest, Zsilip utca 17.
Farmers’ markets
These types of markets are the perfect place to buy ingredients for your meal, and you can personally meet the people who have been nurturing and growing what you eat. If you like food and people, these markets are the best place for you.
According to Magyarországom, you will certainly find the most aromatic vegetables, fire-red, shining apples, golden eggs, and tasty treats at this market every Sunday between 9 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon.
Photo: Facebook.com/gasztroplacc
Photo: Facebook.com/gasztroplacc
Photo: Facebook.com/gasztroplacc
Photo: Facebook.com/gasztroplacc
Pancs gasztroplacc can be found at the yard of Élesztőház, turning the ruin bar into a community place and market every Sunday.
Funzinereports that this market is organised in the backyard of one of the oldest buildings in Tabán where you can browse fresh ingredients every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Photo: Facebook.com/czakotermeloipiacz
Photo: Facebook.com/czakotermeloipiacz
Photo: Facebook.com/czakotermeloipiacz
Photo: Facebook.com/czakotermeloipiacz
Hand-harvested honey, freshly baked bread, and a plethora of traditional and reform ingredients.
1016, Budapest, Czakó utca 15.
Traditional markets and market halls
While the weather is not always good even in spring, there are quite a few other places you can go to if you still need to buy the ingredients for your daily or weekly shopping trip.
There are many market halls around Budapest where you can browse between the stalls of fresh vegetables and sweet fruits, as well as traditional Hungarian butcher shops with smoked sausages and other meaty delicacies.
If you would like to know more about one of the most iconic and well-known market halls, click on the article below:
Busójárás in Mohács is one of the most interesting events in Hungary. Since 2012, the event has been declared a Hungarikum as well.
The event is a Hungarian tradition that represents the death of winter and the arrival of spring. The busó are easily recognisable. They wear fur, masks made of wood, and have items in their hands such as clapper or mace.
Another type of figure is the jankele, which keeps away the people and especially the children from the busó. They wear rags and a bag that was originally filled with ash or flour. Other people in various outfits wear maskara, writes Travelo.
In 2009, UNESCO added the Busójárás in Mohács to the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of mankind. This year, there will be 64 busó groups, 2,000 people in maskara, and 140 programmes.
One of the really interesting events will be on February 27 called Farsangvasárnap. On this day, the busó groups will cross the Danube river on boats, starting the event. The tradition will start at Kóló Square and continue on the shore of the river and the neighbouring streets.
At dawn, a bonfire will be lit, and the busó group will dance around it. Participants will also see a coffin being burned at some point, which represents the burial of winter.
The event will take place until March 1.
The event will be interesting to the participants, as there will be many programmes to choose from. Arts and crafts fare, folk bands and folk dance groups, food tasting and musical performances will await visitors. The programmes related to getting to know the busó groups will be interesting as well.
The most traditional elements of the event, such as seeing the masquerade or seeing the coffin put on water or being burned, are interesting traditions worth seeing. Also, the general atmosphere of the event is truly unique. For the detailed programme in Hungarian, click here.
The Komondor, one of the most well-known out of the nine Hungarian dog species recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) could face hardships and the breed might even disappear altogether.
Due to the modernisation of the agrarian sector and the changes in Hungarians’ lifestyles, as well as the disappearance of the homestead culture, the Komondor, which is mainly used for herding and guarding the livestock has lost its purpose, Anita Anda-Marócsek, a Komondor breeder informed Infostart.
The Komondor is one of the oldest Hungarian dog breeds with Asiatic origins. The breed presumably arrived in the Carpathian basin alongside the migrating Old Magyars around the time of the Hungarian conquest.
It is typically a large, white coloured breed and its most unique feature is its coat; its robust body is covered by matted, corded, long fur. In terms of their temperament, they are mainly calm and have natural guarding instincts, fearlessly defending the herd or their owner’s house.
In 2004, along with several other protected native animal species, the Hungarian Parliament declared the Komondor a national treasure. In 2017, the Collection of Hungaricums was expanded with the Hungarian shepherd, a number of hunting dog breeds as well as the Komondor.
If you would like to know more about other Hungarian dog breeds, check out THISarticle.
Photo: Facebook.com/komondorfajtamentok/
Anita Anda-Marócsek, the owner of the Andaházi Tanyák Őre Komondor Kennel, and breeder of this ancient Hungarian breed says the Komondor is one of the most adaptive dog breed. While previously its main role was to guard the homestead and its animals, now they are perfectly adapted to guarding the homes of their owners.
Interestingly, the Komondor respects every family member and looks up to each of them, they are also highly compatible with children, the breeder said.
She also added that while according to popular belief their coat is high maintenance, it is simply not true. However, this breed is not recommended to be kept in an apartment.
As they are not so energetic as the Border Collie, for example, they can be perfectly happy in gardens of about 7-800 m2, writes Agrárszektor.
Not to mention that the Komondor is a very healthy breed, rarely requiring check-ups at the veterinarian apart from the yearly mandatory vaccines for rabies prevention.
Anita Anda-Marócsek, a breeder of the iconic Komondor highlights that the breed is in danger, and it will only survive the next 20 years if more people become familiar with the breed and demand will grow.
Otherwise, there is a possibility that in the future, people will only see the Komondor in animated Hungarian folktales.
New year.. new kitchen? Give your spice cabinet a piquant makeover by stocking up on the most popular ingredients Hungarians use to season their oh-so-tasty traditional dishes, from chicken paprikash to goulash soup. In this article, we will get you familiar with the top 4 most essential Hungarian spices and herbs used in the local cuisine. Aprons on, people!
Paprika – The king of Hungarian spices
The absolute star of the spice cabinet, paprika is an indispensable ingredient in Hungarian cuisine. Locals love to sprinkle it in abundance on every possible dish from meaty meals to soups and savoury pancakes. If you are not on the spicy side, watch out because you might even find it in supposedly sweet products such as chocolate. Hungarian paprika has gained quite a bit of fame around the world for its outstanding quality. Even if you live abroad, chances are you will find it in most of the bigger supermarket chains.
According to centuries-old practice, locals leave large bundles of chilly paprika under the sun to dry off which brings out an irresistible aroma. Following this process, the plant is crushed and ground into powder. Some households or small manufacturers even keep the seeds inside when preparing paprika powder. This practice is often wrongly believed to be the factor that determines the level of piquancy, which can range from sweet and mild to hot as hell.
Whether the paprika will just pleasantly tickle your taste buds or you will end up in tears while desperately gulping large glasses of water in fact depends on the region the spice comes from.
Paprika cultivated in northern Hungary grows in slightly colder temperatures which will result in a sweeter flavour while the southern version will likely give a hard time to people who have low spice tolerance.
Occasionally, Hungarians like to come up with mocking terms to claim their local versions of the joys far-flung lands possess but their own country lacks, just think of the Hungarian sea (we mean Lake Balaton if you suddenly felt unsure about your geography skills). It is no different with the spices either as marjoram is often referred to as the Hungarian oregano even though the two plants do not bear similarities in taste.
Marjoram was thought to be the herb of love in ancient Greece and was linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
According to the myth, she was born from the foam of the sea, near Cyprus. As she stepped on the island, the place suddenly blossomed over with marjoram. No wonder, this plant became the symbol of love and happiness among couples and newlyweds. In Hungarian folklore, young girls who reached the age to get married used to place a small bundle of marjoram under their pillows in the hope of finding a suitable husband in the village. There is even a Hungarian folk song that mentions marjoram in a context that it should be planted in the garden of lovers who suffer from heartache over losing their sweethearts.
Marjoram has an earthy and woodsy flavour, with notes of balsam-like pines and citrus. It plays nicely with garlic in dressings and mushroom dishes and can be added to sausages and grill marinades as well.
Caraway holds a prominent place on the list of Hungarian spices. Its enticing aroma is mentioned both in Bible passages and a Shakespeare play; so one can conclude that people from the classical world and the Middle Ages really knew how to season their dishes.
When it comes to the use of this herb, locals really max out creativity as in certain regions they add toasted caraway seeds to season their homemade pálinka.
This practice is especially widespread in Transylvania where people mix sugar and caraway, and the distilled blend is then added to plum or pure-grain pálinka. This recipe shows quite a stroke of genius as caraway is known for its detoxifying properties which can counteract the liver-damaging effect of alcohol. You just have to drink enough of it. No wonder locals regularly treat themselves to folk wellness sessions.
Caraway has a slightly sweet, warming flavour with a nutty element, and for this reason, it is often seen as a savoury alternative to cinnamon. This spice works well with soups, especially bean goulash, potato dishes and local salty pastries such as the all-time favorite pogácsa.
Source: https://www.canva.com/
Dill – Wards off witches and evil spirits
Dill just simply cannot be missed in Hungarian households. The herb’s healing properties have been known for centuries in Hungarian folklore medicine. In medieval times, dill was also cherished and celebrated for its supposed spiritual uses. Due to its distinctive odour, dill was believed to ward off the evil spirits when worn or when made into a wreath and hung above doorways. Besides, the plant was also used in witch hunt, for the same reasons. Nowadays, you may not catch any imaginary creatures with it anymore, but quite the opposite.
Cooking with dill will most likely lure over the entire neighborhood to your doorstep for its appetising scent.
Another interesting fact is that, in rural Hungary, dill is often called cucumber grass as it is an absolutely essential ingredient when making pickles. It does not only give a unique flavour but also serves as a natural preservative.
When dealing with dill (pardon the pun), expect a deliciously fresh, citrus-like taste with a slightly grassy undertone. It is sometimes used as a substitute for parsley. Dill goes perfectly well with pumpkin pottage or főzelék, sandwich spreads and various sauces. Locals also use this herb to season their famous blood sausage as well as cottage cheese dishes. The sweet local cheese makes a winning pair with the dill.
No one can deny that the irresistible smell of freshly baked cakes is one of the best things in the world. So if you are yearning for a sweet treat to go with your cappuccino, make sure to visit the 5 oldest pastry shops in Budapest.
If you fancy someplace really elegant with a century-old interior in the heart of the city, come to Gerbeaud! It is not just the mouthwatering cakes that you will cherish in your memories for a long time but also the aesthetic experience the pastry shop provides. It was established in the middle of the 19th century by Henrik Kugler, a confectioner who had travelled the world prior to opening his confectionery so we could concieve the recipes of his well-known creations such as the famous Hungarian gerbeaud cake. As Kugler did not have children, his business partner Emil Gerbeaud, who is known for such culinary inventions as the chocolate cat’s tongue and the cherry bonbon, inherited the shop.
No matter if you are staying on the Pest or Buda side, chances are you will stumble upon an Auguszt pastry shop nearby as they represent themselves at three different locations in the city. Munching on a thick slice of black forest cake under the crystal chandelier in their shop in Kossuth Lajos street is a completely different vibe! The founder, Elek Auguszt opened the doors of his first confectionery in 1870 in one of the sophisticated Buda quartiers and soon enough people from all over the city came to taste his culinary wonders. The family-owned confectionery awaits its visitors with unique refined flavours such as the marvellously creamy Esterhazy cake or the apricot jam filled chocolate-y Sacher cake.
The parents of the Serbian descent confectioner Mátyás Szamos (originally Mladen Szavits) initially meant him to take another career path and become a priest, however, Szamos’s life took a different turn. He did not give up on his dreams and eventually got hired at Auguszt confectionery where he had the chance to learn all the culinary tricks from a renowned Danish pastry chef who taught him how to make marzipan roses among other sweet masterpieces. Szamos produces one of the world’s leading marzipan products, therefore, it is a must-try! A tiny marzipan fruit basket or marzipan filled chocolate bonbons make a nice gift to bring home to your loved ones from your Budapest trip. People with a sweet tooth and an interest in history can even visit the Szamos Museum which is found in Szentendre, a panoramic riverside settlement close to Budapest.
Many Hungarians keep fond childhood memories of eating delicious cakes at Gundel after visiting the nearby Budapest Zoo. The Gundel brand has become legendary over the years; many sweet and savoury culinary inventions are linked to this name such as the Gundel pancakes which are filled with crushed walnuts and drizzled with hot chocolate sauce. The founder Károly Gundel also preserved hundreds of traditional folk recipes and he laid down the foundation of a prestigious gastro-dynasty. While in Budapest, Indulge in a sweet bite or two in a classy stylish environment to make the most out of your vacation.
Located in the panoramic Castle District on the Buda side, Ruszwurm can certainly claim the title of the oldest pastry shop in Budapest. The family-run cafe looks back to an almost 2 centuries-old past, thus even its furniture is considered antic relics. Another interesting fact is that one of its founders was the one who first conceived the recipe of Linzer, Hungary’s beloved cake. If you like classic flavours and cosy vibes, Ruszwurm is guaranteed to win you over with its traditional charm. Get tempted for a slice of perfectly moist Castle caramel cake or a vanilla cream puff which is especially trending now that Farsang (Hungarian carnival season) is approaching.
Hollókő is a small Palóc village in Nógrád county that is known all over the world. Now, the village is introducing its own – pretty strong – beer called Hollókői Világos (Hollókő Light)!
The idea of creating their own beer
Apart from tourism, the village views maintaining good relationships with its twin towns as a very important task. Hollókő has eight twin towns from all over the world, two of them are in Transylvania, Romania. One of the village’s Transylvanian twin towns is Torockó.
As we learned from the Facebook posts of Csaba Szabó, Mayor of Hollókő, a delegation from the village visited Torocko during the Advent period of 2021. As 24.hu reported, in Torocko, the delegation “dropped by” for a festive greeting at the Csíkszentsimon Csíki Beer Manufactory. That was the place where the idea of brewing a beer of Hollókő’s own was born.
The village of Torockó, Transylvania. Source: https://www.facebook.com/csaba.szabo.14418
The village of Torockó, Transylvania. Source: https://www.facebook.com/csaba.szabo.14418
The interest is much bigger than they expected so Csaba Szabó had to explain in the comments that unfortunately, there is not enough beer for everyone. There is some sample in Hollókő, but it’s not enough to satisfy everyone’s needs – for now! Hopefully, we can see more Hollókői Világos brewed in the future.
About Hollókő
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee added Hollókő to the World Heritage List in 1987. This tiny village in a picturesque setting is still an example of a traditional 17th and 18th century townlet. It preserves the traditional architecture and so it is a unique example of pre-20th century village life. Hollókő lies northeast from Budapest, approximately 91 kilometers from it. The village lies in a valley of the Cserhát Mountains.
Even though Hollókő is a small village with a population that doesn’t even reach 400, it has a number of sights that are worth seeing. Among them are the Village Museum, the Doll Museum, the Hungarian Folk Dance House and the Hollókő castle, just to mention a few. What’s more, two streats of the village (Lajos Kossuth and Sándor Petőfi streets) and their 67 houses, are protected.
With a number of vineyards and world famous grapes, Hungary is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy some quality local wine. Tokaj region is one of the most famous beetween all the ones to be found in Hungary
The Tokaj region in general
The Tokaj region is an area of 5,500 hectares of vineyards and includes in total 27 towns and villages. The area is best known for its sweet aszú wines, made from nobly rotten grapes. In Tokaj, six grape varieties are permitted to grow. The most famous ones are Furmint and Hárslevelű. Other varieties grown in smaller quantities are Sárga Muskotály, Kövérszölö, Zéta (a crossing of Furmint and Bouvier), and Kabar (a crossing of Hárslevelű and Bouvier). All of these varieties can be used in Aszú.
Royal Charter: demarcation and appellation control: 1737
Revival – a new style of Aszú wines: 1990’s
UNESCO World Heritage Site as Cultural Landscape: 2002
Government-designated Growth Area: 2014
Photo: Facebook.com/tokaj.borvidek
XIV Louis and the Tokaji wine
Ferenc Rákóczi II, Prince of Transylvania, who owned a huge piece of the vineyards in the Tokaj region, established a good relation with the French Royal Court. The reason for that was, that both him, and the french side were looking for allies against the Habsburgs.
During the war for independence in Hungary, started by Rákóczi, what was a fight against the Hapsburgs in the early 18th century, he tried to ally himself with influential European monarchs, amongst them Louis XIV of France.
Photo: Facebook.com/tokajiaszushop/
Photo: facebook.com/royaltokaji
/facebook/Tokaji Aszu/
The fight for independence have fallen, and Rákóczi was first arrested, then imprisoned in Vienna on the 18th of April, 1700, but he sucesfully managed to escape and left to Poland, where he was sheltered by the French ambassador. Three years later, while the Austrian forces had to move most of their forces from Hungary to Spain, Rákóczi started another uprising, which unfortunately failed again in 1711.
After refusing an amnesty by the Habsburgs, Louis XIV offered Rákóczi exile in France in 1713 and paid him a pension. On the occassion of a feast in Versailles, when Tokaji wines had been served, the menu card showed His Majesty’s hedonistic quote „C’est le roi des vins, et le vin des rois“ (The King of wines, and the wine of Kings).
The successor Louis XV used to serve Tokaji to his famous mistress – Madame Pompadour. „Vinum Regum, Rex Vinorum“ – this famous line is used to this day in the marketing of Tokaji wines.
The Hungarian Carnival season is a holiday of celebrations, balls, and merriments, and, just like many other Hungarian holidays, there is no true celebration without delicious food.
In this article, we collected six recipes for you so you can make a full meal to celebrate the Hungarian Carnival season with us.
According to popular belief, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. It is no coincidence that this soup is named accordingly. There is everything in this soup a man or a person after a party in the Carnival season would need.
2 dl chicken soup stock (or 2 dl water and instant chicken stock)
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
Cut the onions into small pieces and sear them until golden brown over a little oil, then add the cubed chicken breast into the pot. Clean and cut the vegetables into small pieces. Then, if the meat turns white, add the vegetables and the peas. Add salt and pepper.
Cover the pot and steam the meat and vegetables until half-done, then add in the cubed mushrooms. Add water and chicken stock to the pot.
When every ingredient is cooked soft, add in the liver you cut to the same size as your chicken breast pieces. Bring the soup to a boil and cook the liver for five minutes in the soup.
Mix the cooking cream and sour cream together until it becomes homogenous, then add it to the soup. Flavour the soup with a teaspoon of dried tarragon and bring it to a boil again. Once it reaches boiling point, take the pot off the heat. After a few minutes, mix in the lemon juice.
The essence of the korhelyleves, of course, is to soothe a hangover, reduce headaches, heartburn, and other symptoms of having had too much fun the previous night, and also to replenish your energy so that you can rinse and repeat.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/streetkitchenhu
Ingredients
25 dkg smoked meat
10 dkg smoked sausage
35-40 dkg sauerkraut
10-15 dkg mushroom
2 onions
a bundle of parsley
5 dkg flour
2 dl sour cream
2-3 teaspoons of olive oil
salt, pepper, paprika
Instructions
Dice the onions and glaze them in a bit of oil, then put the diced meat into the pot. Sprinkle it with paprika, mix it, and then add the sauerkraut. Add water so that it covers everything, then cover with a lid and cook over medium heat.
While the soup is on the stove, slice up the mushrooms and fry them in a little oil. Add it to the soup, season it, and bring to a boil. Make a light roux to thicken the soup. Slice the sausages, and when the soup is almost ready, add in the slices of sausage.
Season the soup with sour cream to your liking, or you can serve the sour cream on the side. You should be careful not to add too much salt as the smoked meat and sausage is already quite salty. Enjoy.
Bloody food may sound barbarian at first. However, blood sausage and pan-fried pig’s blood are common winter dishes in the country. Hungarians usually start their day with a big plate packed with these delicacies on the days of the traditional pig slaughter.
Sausages at a butcher’s Source: Still from youtu.be/VX9z-KZzNMs
Ingredients
For the broth:
5 l water
2 heads of onions
2 heads of garlic
5 bay leaves
1 tbsp whole black pepper
3 tbsp salt
For the sausage:
33 dkg (pork) organ meat (liver, heart, kidney, tongue, lungs)
33 dkg (pork) meat and skin (skin with fat, bacon or pig’s belly, regular meat)
8 dkg rice
25 g crushed marjoram
5 g paprika powder
5 g salt
4 g ground white pepper
Intestine or artificial guts for the skin of the sausage
2.5 dl broth for cooking the rice
Instructions
To make the broth, wash and clean the onions and garlic and cut them in half. Add in all the ingredients for the broth and leave it to simmer.
Clean the organs and meat and cut them up into small pieces. Add them to the broth and boil them until soft. If you want to add skin, cut it up into small cubes and add it and the bacon to the broth.
Once done, take some of the broth and cook the rice in it (4 x broth to rice ratio) until it becomes really soft.
Take the meat out of the broth and grind it with a meat grinder. Mix in the cooked rice and spices. If needed, you can add some broth so that the mixture is not too dry.
Fill the mixture into the intestines or artificial sausage skin and form smaller sausages. Bring the broth to a rapid boil and put the sausages into it for short periods of time to make them harden.
Finally, add a bit of water to the cooking utensil you use and cook the hurka in an oven at 190 °C / 375 °F for fifteen minutes. Enjoy.
If needed, you can visually follow the process here:
This dish is ideal for those who love duck meat with bacon and liver. In addition to the spices, the flavours are brought out by the aromas of red wine and cognac.
Illustration: Pixabay / Shy_Photographer
Ingredients
1 duck for roasting
10-15 dkg duck liver
10 dkg bacon
2 dl red wine
5 cl cognac
5 dkg flour
5 dkg butter
1 dl olive oil
1 onion
a bundle of parsley
bay leaves, thyme, salt
Instructions
Glaze the duck liver in a little oil and crush it when done.
In a separate pan, mix the other duck trimmings, the coarsely chopped onion, and the diced bacon and sear the whole mixture in a little oil. When the meat is reddish or has a little sear, sprinkle the flour on it and add the red wine and cognac and a little water so that it mixes easily.
Add the spices and bring to a boil over medium heat. When done, remove it from the heat and strain through a small mesh filter. Add the crushed duck liver to the filtered sauce and mix it in well.
Bake the duck in an oven until it is crispy and, when done, stir the fat from the pan of the duck into the sauce. Before serving, cut the duck up into slices and serve with the sauce. You can eat it with any side dish, but we recommend mashed potatoes.
Csörögefánk is one of the typical doughnuts made around the Carnival season. In English, the closest to this would be the Angel wing, a sweet and crisp pastry, but the traditional Hungarian one is made slightly differently. If you would like to try it, here is the recipe.
You can find the recipe for another typical Hungarian doughnut HERE.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Blazej Pieczynski
Ingredients
25 dkg curd
20-25 dkg flour
3 tablespoons of sugar – not necessary and can be substituted with sweeteners and lemon (you only need a few drops of juice and a little zest)
12.5 dkg butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
few teaspoons of rum
oil for frying (medium hot, if too hot, the dough will not rise)
Instructions
Mix the curd and the egg in a bowl and grate some lemon zest into the mixture. Now you can add the butter to the bowl, mix it a little, and pour a few teaspoons of rum into the mixture. The rum will prevent the dough from absorbing the oil while frying.
You can now add the flour gradually to the mixture until the dough can be formed and can be flattened with a rolling pin. While kneading the dough, squeeze or add some drops of lemon juice to the baking soda so that it starts foaming, then add it to the dough you are mixing.
If you are ready with the dough, use some flour on your work surface so that it will not stick and flatten the dough with a rolling pin so that it is about 4-5 mm thick.
Cut the dough into small squares (5-7 cm) and make a diagonal cut in the middle of each square. You can try and twist one corner through the hole if you want to make it prettier or form it so that it is a little bit more rhombus-shaped, but you can also fry it as squares.
Sprinkle powdered sugar on top or serve it with jam or marmalade. Enjoy.
Tepertős pogácsa is guaranteed to become everyone’s favourite snack for its unique savoury taste. Crackling is a by-product that is made after pig slaughters. It is actually the skin and fat of the animal which is baked until it gets a nice crispy texture. As you bite into your first freshly-baked pogácsa, it will virtually fly you to rural Hungary.
Source: canva.com
Ingredients
50 dkg all-purpose flour
25 dkg crackling
2 dkg yeast
2.5 dl milk
1 tbsp ground pepper
1 tbsp sugar
2.5 dkg salt
10 dkg sour cream
1 egg for glazing
Instructions
Warm up the milk in a saucepan until it becomes lukewarm. Stir in the yeast and the sugar to dissolve. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
Combine the crackling with the ground pepper in a mixer. Once it is done, add all the ingredients to the bowl of the mixer and beat them on low speed for a couple of minutes. Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature for an hour.
Roll the dough 2 cm thick on a lightly floured surface. Make a shallow cross-hatched pattern with the point of a sharp knife over the top of the dough. You can sprinkle some of the remaining cracklings on top.
Cut out 0.5 cm rounds with a cutter. Arrange circles in rows on a parchment-lined baking sheet, about a centimetre apart. Brush the biscuits with egg yolk. Let the dough rest for 30-40 minutes. Preheat your oven to 185 °C / 365 °F.
Finally, bake them for 12 minutes at 185 °C / 365 °F. Enjoy.
Due to the emergence of the coronavirus and its waves of infection last year, even the iconic Busójárás was cancelled. Now, in 2022, there is a possibility to make up for the festivals that had to be postponed or cancelled in last year’s Carnival season in Hungary.
Carnival season
In Hungary, Carnival season, or as we call it, the “farsangi időszak”, is a traditional Christian-Hungarian holiday all about balls, feasts, merriment, and masked or costume parties.
It starts on January 6th, a.k.a. the Epiphany, and ends the day before Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, Ash Wednesday is the start of the 40-day fast called Lent preceding Easter Sunday, says Nevezetesnapok.
Although the start of the Carnival season is always on the day of Epiphany, the endpoint of the celebrations is a moving holiday. In 2022, the Carnival season ends on March 2nd.
Photo: Daily News Hungary
Busojárásis one of the most iconic holidays in Hungary related to this season of merriment. It is a six-day carnival marking and celebrating the end of winter. It attracts great crowds to Mohács and the surrounding area.
Busojárás has been a part of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2009 and has been a Hungarikum since 2012.
Since the Carnival period is all about merriment and feasts, there are a lot of traditional Hungarian gastronomic festivals to choose from, like pig slaughters and butchers’ competitions, as well as sausage-making festivals and Pálinka festivals. With the help of Origo, we have collected some ideas for you:
This event showcases the traditions of disznótoros with an overload of gastronomic experiences from pig slaughters to tastings and Pálinka competitions, as well as raffles and markets.
Visiting is free until 14:00. A ticket, which works as a raffle as well, costs about €3 (1,000 forints).
The goal of this festival was to reinvigorate the Hungarian tradition of pig slaughtering. Food and drink stalls are available all day, just as traditional pork dishes and sausages, and the event is accompanied by music and dance.
In Debrecen, the festival of this strange Hungarian species of pig with delicious meat is organised for the 13th time this year. You can see and maybe even pet this hairy type of pig, as well as taste delicious traditional dishes made from them.
Visiting is free.
Photo: www.mangalicafesztival.hu
March 18-20th
Budapest
Although late to the Carnival season, this Mangalica Festival will be organised in the capital of Hungary, Budapest, and since it is a free event, you might not want to miss it.
For the lovers of cakes, chocolate, and sweet things. This two-day event offers you possibilities to try yourself out in cake- and chocolate-eating competitions. There are also many kids’ programs, as well as music and raffles.
Vegan Sunday Market in the Summer Photo: facebook.com/veganfoodfestbp
If you like Hungary but you would like to try something other than traditional food and meat-heavy dishes, this is the perfect place for you. You will certainly find vegan cheese, cookies, sandwiches, and many hand-made products.
The event is dog- and child-friendly.
Cultural festivals
You can find many events to choose from HERE, but we have to highlight one.
“The programme aims to present the extraordinarily archaic and incomparably rich popular traditions and culture of Moldova and Gyimes Csángós to the Hungarian and the international public. With our festival, we would like to create an occasion for the Csángós to bring and present, to those interested, the culture they cultivate, their national costumes, customs, music, dances in the context of a stage performance,” they wrote about themselves.
What do ground paprika from Kalocsa, Hollóháza porcelain, Dobos cake, and Hungarian goulash soup have in common? They are all hungarikums. “Hungarikum” is a collective term denoting outstanding national values – products, customs, etc. that are of key significance from a national perspective – worthy of distinction and highlighting within a unified system of qualification, classification, and registry. But how much do you know about these characteristic Hungarian values?
You can find more information about Hungarikums HERE. When you feel ready, test your knowledge with our quiz.
