Matevž facts for kids

A delicious plate of Matevž, a traditional Slovenian dish.

Matevž is a yummy and hearty dish from Slovenia. It's a bit like a thick, mashed mix of beans and potatoes, often with tasty bits of cracklings mixed in. This special meal is considered a national dish in Slovenia. It's especially popular in the central part of the country, like the Kočevsko region.

Matevž has been around since the 1800s. Back then, it was a main meal for people who didn't have much money. Today, it's usually served as a side dish. You might find it alongside sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) or turnips.

This dish has some fun nicknames too! People sometimes call it krompirjev mož (which means "potato man"), medved ("bear"), or even belokranjski mož ("White Carniola man"). The name matevž itself comes from the male name Matej or Matevž, which is like the name Matthew.

How to Make Matevž

Making Matevž is quite simple, but it takes a little time. Here's how it's generally prepared:

Ingredients You'll Need

• Beans (dried)
• Potatoes
• Butter
• Bay laurel leaf
• Sour cream
• Cracklings (crispy bits of pork skin)
• Garlic

Step-by-Step Preparation

• First, you need to soak the dried beans in cold water overnight. This makes them softer and easier to cook.
• The next day, put the soaked beans in fresh cold water. Add some butter and a bay laurel leaf for flavor. Then, boil them until they are very soft.
• In a separate pot, cook peeled potatoes until they are tender.
• Once the potatoes are cooked, drain the water. Add butter, sour cream, and the cracklings to the potatoes.
• Now, mix the cooked beans with the buttered potatoes and cracklings. Mash everything together until it's smooth and creamy.
• Finally, add some fresh garlic to the mixture for an extra kick of flavor.

That's it! Your Matevž is ready to enjoy. It's a warm and comforting dish that's perfect for a chilly day.