The picnic season is slowly starting, which will last until autumn. There will be no shortage of good company, food and drink. Slovenian fans of traditional picnics are already looking forward to grilled chicken, čevapčič and pleskavic. We looked beyond our borders and searched for traditional picnics around the world. Maybe it's time to spice up our summer culinary journey in a natural environment with international cuisine found at picnics around the world.
History of the picnic
In today's world, a picnic simply means a pleasant trip and culinary experience outdoors. But did we know that the picnic as we know it today has its roots in medieval England? The picnic developed from the tradition of celebrating holidays outdoors. Medieval feasts and Renaissance feasts laid the foundation for the picnic experience we enjoy today. The earliest picnics appeared in Europe in the 14th century as medieval hunting feasts in England. The word picnic was known in France, Germany and Sweden even before it became part of English society. The first use of the word picnic is said to have appeared in the 16th century in a French text describing a group of people in a restaurant who brought their own wine. The theory is that the word picnic comes from a verb picker, which means "to prick" or "to prick" and rhymes with the word nique, which means a trifle. Centuries ago, a picnic meant a group meal, to which everyone invited brought some food, which was then shared. In the middle of the 19th century, this meal - a picnic - moved outdoors, in a natural atmosphere, without a strict menu and in a good and youthful society. The concept of a picnic, as we know it today, is known all over the world; the differences are primarily of a culinary nature.
Spain - tapas and gazpacho
In most regions of Spain, the summers are hot and dry, and the concrete and asphalt in the cities are unbearable. So families usually go to the countryside for the weekend, where they enjoy socializing and good food - whether on terraces, cafes or picnics on the banks of a nearby river. If the Spanish can't leave the city for the weekend, they spend time in the park, where they have a picnic in the shade of the trees. And what exactly is a traditional Spanish picnic? Tapas, tapas and once more tapas. A picnic starts with a cold soup, gazpacho. This is followed by prosciutto, dried fruit and spicy cheeses. Cold paella or a Spanish rice dish can be served on a large communal plate, a glass of sparkling wine and turrón, a Spanish almond dessert, are the perfect finishing touch.
Tuscan feast
Italian picnics can easily be more fun and memorable than a meal at a top restaurant. There is nothing quite as romantic as an Italian picnic somewhere in Tuscany. A light breeze, tall cypresses, the beauty of nature on the horizon, rural villas scattered among the vineyards... Italian culinary products that Italians usually choose for a picnic often come from local farmers. Before the picnic, they stop at small shops or the market and make sure that all the food is local. What constitutes an Italian picnic? Cheeses, various salamis, grilled vegetables and marinated vegetables and caponata, Sicilian aubergine dish, pasta salad and caprese salad - and it all ends nicely focaccia, semolina bread or ciabatta. For dessert, they prefer an assortment of fine cookies.
Picnic on the banks of the Seine
Perhaps no one understands the concept of a picnic better than the French. It can be as simple or as elaborate as we like - crispy French loaves, good cheese, good friends and a bottle of wine is all we need in the afternoon shade on the banks of the Seine. With their love for fine and simple foods, the French have conquered the magic of the picnic. A spacious woven basket full of fine cheeses, loaves of bread, and pears stands on a spread out colorful blanket. d'Anjou, butter, olives, pate, Nicosia salad and almonds Marcona - all food comes from the market or a well-stocked health food store. Sparkling apple cider, chilled white tea with rosehip juice, lemonade with mint or a glass of wine dew they quickly quench thirsty throats.
READ MORE: Interview - Jernej Zver and Maja Galuf: Jernejkitchen
English picnic
The unpredictable weather is the reason why the English descend on the greens as soon as the sun appears from behind the clouds. It's hard to imagine an English picnic without sandwiches and so-called sandwiches scotch eggs, where hard-boiled eggs are wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs, then baked or fried. Pork pies, cress sandwiches and coronation chicken - a mixture of cooked and cooled chicken meat, raisins, herbs, spices and mayonnaise sauce, which is suitable for both sandwiches and salad - are the essential ingredients of the English basket.
Pastries, pancakes and vodka
Russian summers are short, so before the long and cold winter knocks on the door again, Russians like to take advantage of the warm and sunny days. Picnics are special occasions for them - they take time, even on the busiest days, to meet with loved ones and friends, share food and drink, laugh, cry and end the day with a hug and a smile on their face. And what do we find in a Russian picnic basket? First, traditional pastries bierock, usually stuffed with ground beef, cabbage and onions. Kebabs and piroshki, pastries, pancakes filled with various fillings. It also includes wine, vodka or fruit juice, cheese, eggs, various types of cold meat, bread, tomatoes and pickles, fruit and some cookies for those with a sweet tooth.
Asian flair
Koreans absolutely love picnics. Most Koreans (especially the older generation) also love hiking, and their love for picnics certainly has something to do with Korea's hilly terrain and its natural beauty. There are quite a few Korean foods that are easy to carry and can be enjoyed at room temperature. Kimbab or Korean sushi is one of the most traditional dishes at a Korean picnic. It is made of steamed rice and vegetables and wrapped in a sheet of seaweed. It is usually served on the side kimchi, a Korean vegetable dish, and danmuji, a popular radish. Another traditional dish is japchae, a pasta dish made from pasta and made with sweet potatoes, sesame oil and vegetables that is best when cold.
A picnic in Israel
A picnic in Israel looks something like this: hummus, couscous and baba ghanoush (boiled eggplant mixed with onions, tomatoes, olive oil and various toppings) - all these dishes are perfect for sharing. Crackers, pies, a loaf of bread and vegetables make for a rich meal. But we must not forget the holiday of Lag Ba'Omer, when the uprising against the Roman Empire is remembered. Bonfires are lit on this day, accompanied by a picnic and Israeli folk music and dancing. The traditional food for this picnic is very simple. Cold and peeled hard-boiled eggs are usually brought by the participants. They are eaten with potatoes, which are baked over a bonfire.
