Traditional St. Martin's feast

St Martin's Day is a popular Slovenian holiday, celebrated every year on 11 November to mark the end of work in the fields, to give thanks for a good harvest and to symbolically represent the transition from must to wine. This holiday is closely linked to viticulture and wine and is an important part of our cultural heritage. Of course, St Martin''s Day is also marked by the rich and tasty dishes that have become traditional for this celebration.

Background and significance of the feast

St Martin''s Day has its origins in Celtic festivals and is dedicated to wine and the new wine-growing year. According to folklore, 11 November is the day on which "St Martin makes wine from must". This date symbolises the end of work in the vineyard and the beginning of the period when must turns into wine. St Martin''s Day is celebrated all over Slovenia, by wine-growers and wine-makers as well as by everyone else.

A culinary tradition

Like any true holiday, Martinmas is accompanied by certain dishes that have become a fixture on our tables. The most popular dishes for Martine''s Day are roast goose or duck and red cabbage or mlinci. However, the choice of meat for a St Martin''s feast can be adapted according to personal preferences. In addition, other dishes such as roasted chestnuts, baked apples, cakes and pies are also part of the traditional St Martin''s menu.

RECIPE: St Martin's roasted duck

When preparing roast goose or duck, it is important that the meat is crisp and juicy. Start by preparing the meat, which can be stuffed with chestnuts, prunes, quinces or apples. It is then roasted in the oven at the appropriate temperature. For a goose or duck, for every 500 g of meat, allow 15 to 20 minutes, and add another 15 minutes at the end. The meat is first roasted at 200 degrees Celsius on the top rack, then the temperature is lowered to 180 degrees Celsius and the roasting tin is moved to the middle rack to ensure that the meat is cooked evenly.

Tip: You can stuff the poultry with chestnuts, dried or fresh fruit before baking, which will add aroma and flavour to the meat and make a great side dish.

Red cabbage with apples and "mlinci"

Red cabbage is an indispensable side dish at a St Martin's feast. It can be prepared on its own or apples, pears and wine can be added to give it even more autumn flavour.

"Mlinci" are a traditional martin side dish that can be bought ready-made or made yourself.

The preparation of mlinci is simple:

1. First, prepare the flour and sift it into a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt and stir.

2. Then add warm water and stir to make a stiff dough. The dough should be evenly moist but not too wet.

3. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to make a thin layer. You can use a rolling pin or stretch the dough with your hands.

4. Then cut the dough into small squares or strips. The size depends on your preference.

5. Place the rolls on a baking tray and bake them in a preheated oven at a high temperature until crisp and golden brown.

6. Once the mince pies are baked, you can serve them as a side dish with a martini feast or other dishes of your choice.

St. Martin's dessert

St Martin's Day usually brings with it delicious desserts that go perfectly with the traditional feast. One popular dessert for St Martin''s Day is baked apples with walnuts. This dessert is easy to prepare and full of flavour at the same time.

Recipe for baked apples with walnuts:

Ingredients:

- 4 apples (sour apples are best, e.g. Granny Smith).

- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

- 1/4 cup brown sugar

- 1 teaspoon cinnamon

- 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. Wash the apples, hollow out the centre and cut out the stems.

3. In a small bowl, mix the chopped walnuts, brown sugar and cinnamon.

4. Fill the hollowed apples with this mixture and place them in a baking dish.

5. Place a small piece of butter on top of each apple.

6. Bake the apples in a preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes until soft and beginning to brown.

7. Once baked, you can serve them warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

St Martin's Day: Enjoying good company

St Martin's Day is not only a celebration of food and wine, but also an opportunity to get together and celebrate in good company. A new wine is usually served at the Martin''s feast and can be chosen according to personal preference. However, it is always advisable to consume alcohol in moderation and responsibly.

St Martin's Day is a holiday that combines tradition, food, wine and socialising. On this occasion, we enjoy delicious dishes such as roast goose or duck, red cabbage or mince pies, and fine wine. Whether we are wine growers, wine lovers or simply like to enjoy good food, St Martin''s Day is a holiday that brings us together and reminds us of the importance of viticulture in our culture.