Idrijski Zlikrofi

Idrijski žlikrofi are dumplings of thin dough around a filling of potato, onion, lard and herbs, and their shape is the recognised part: each is pinched in the middle so it sits like a small hat, made by hand and by eye. They belong to Idrija and the mining families there, cheap food built around potatoes, and they are usually served with bakalca, a mutton or game sauce. They hold European protection as a traditional speciality, which fixes the recipe and the shape.

What you actually see

• The pinched shape - each dumpling formed by hand into a small hat.
• The filling - potato, onion, lard and herbs, the mining household's economy.
• Bakalca - the mutton or game sauce traditionally served with them.
• The protected status - European traditional speciality recognition of the recipe.

When to go

Year round; Idrija restaurants have them permanently on the menu. The Zlikrofi festival is held in the town in summer. Frozen packs are sold in shops nationally.

Honest expectations

Machine-made frozen versions are widely sold and are noticeably inferior to hand-shaped ones. Portions are small and they are usually a starter rather than a main. Outside Idrija the quality varies a great deal.

Nearby

Divje Jezero is south, and the Idrija mercury mine is in the town.