The Trdelník from Skalica

The trdelník from Skalica as a special pastry which is hollow tube shape and coated in roasted walnuts has been a historical part of the town of Skalica and its immediate vicinity for almost 200 years. The process of making the Skalica trdelník has been passed down from generation to generation only by direct transmission of the recipe and practical experience. The hollow tube shape of the Skalica trdelník is created by winding a thin dough roll around a wooden rod called trdlo, which requires some skills and practice. It is also necessary to have experience with the dough viscosity to be able to produce a roll of the necessary firmness and flexibility, which allows it to be spooled around the rod. According to available sources, the origin of this pastry can be traced back to Transylvania, from where the chef of Count Gvadányi brought the ancient recipe to Skalica at the beginning of the 19th century. Trdelník soon became a popular delicacy and moved from aristocratic households to the kitchens of common inhabitants, becoming a part of traditional rituals, anniversary customs, and holiday tables. From the ethnographic point of view, the Skalica trdelník is an original and very specific element of the Northern Záhorie region’s culinary. The tradition of producing and baking this pastry spread from Skalica to the surrounding municipalities of the micro-region where, following Skalica´s example, it has preserved its original form until the present. The bearers of this elements are producers associated in the Skalický trdelník civic association. This association is the guarantor of the preservation of its traditional production and of its original appearance, taste, smell, and other parameters. The community of producers, members of the civic association, creates the conditions for the development of production and promotion of the Skalica trdelník and for the support of new producers, promotion and presentation activities by organising and coorganising events related to the making of the Skalica trdelník. The other bearers of the element are all producers of the Skalica trdelník who meet the conditions of its specific production. Trdelník is a representative element of the town and a symbol for the inhabitants of Skalica and of the surrounding micro-region.