Potica

A true cottage industry -- potica!  Does anyone else out there eat this at Christmas?  We always had it growing up, but I wasn't sure if it was a Catholic thing or a Midwest thing or what.  After doing a bit of searching around on the web, it appears to be Slovenian in origin. 

Now first of all, it's delicious.  Maybe it's hard to tell from the photo, but it is made from a dough rolled very thin and then crushed nuts and honey (and other things I'm sure, but I don't know what) are added and then it's rolled up.  This creates *many* layers of goodness!

And you don't buy these at a store -- you don't even buy them at a bakery.  You need to find a local woman who knows how to make them and sells them at the holidays.  I love that idea!  Because of this, some poticas are more bread-y, some are more nutty, some are dryer -- it's very individual.  I'm sure the recipes are passed down in each family.

There are some recipes out there on the web, these are some that looked unique or had helpful illustrations:

• Potica Bread -- looks like a nice variation and makes a pretty loaf!
• Potica -- has instructions with photos
• Potica-Povitica -- a cookbook devoted entirely to Potica!  I've never seen this and don't know anything about the company publishing it -- but it looks interesting.

So, does anyone else out there eat Potica at the holidays?  And if you have a family recipe that you are willing to share, I would love to have it.  I just might try making my own some time for fun!

Comments

[Vicki]

Love this stuff, although the place I get it they call it povitica. Haven't had it in a while, might have to stop in someday soon.

[Kim]

My DH's grandmother was Slovenian, and she made potica. It's now a tradition in his family. I believe Poland has a version with a similar name, as does Austria.

We make ours with walnuts but it's enriched with cream and some other stuff. There's a great bread machine version from this book, Rustic European Breads from your Bread Machine: http://www.amazon.com/Rustic-European-Breads-Bread-Machine/dp/0385477775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198107913&sr=1-1

DH's grandmother often filled the filling with Ritz crackers, as nuts were expensive during the Depression. Now nuts are cheaper (and better) than crackers!

Oh, also you can buy it from Slovenian bakeries in the Chicago area, I think.

[chris]

I've had potica before . . . I recognized the picture (but not the word) as soon as I saw your entry today! The bad thing is that I can't remember when or who gave it to me to try . . . ARGH! That's going to bug me for the rest of the day.

[Nathania]

It's a Croatian Christmas tradition as well. My grandmother made it when I was a child and my stepmother took over when Nana couldn't do it any more. I remember rolling the dough out all over the dining room table. Should ask my stepmum for the recipe.

[Oiyi]

I've never had this before. This seems quite interesting.

[mwknitter]

I think I've had it but didn't know what it was called - I think Poles have a version of it. I grew up Catholic in Chicago & never heard of that tradition. The only Christmas bread I know about is Stollen (preferably from Dinkel's Bakery.)

[JulieT]

It's so funny, how we're influenced by the ethnicity of people who settled where we live, hundreds of years ago. I grew up in Ohio in an area settled by Germans and looked at your potica and thought "That looks like strudel, with a nut filling." If it IS like strudel, and it sure sounds like it, don't let the dough part intimidate you. Just follow the directions and take it easy. It's easier than it looks.

Now I wanna go make perogis. You're a bad influence.

[Sarah]

My husband is Austrian/Slovenian/American. His mom made the best potica. Every holiday we would receive a package with a delicious loaf. After she passed away, I found a recipe and now I am the one making potica. It is labor intensive, but with shelled walnuts and a cuisinart, it can be done. I have a marathon baking weekend every December, and make about 12 loaves to send to elderly relatives. I will be happy to send you the recipe. It truly is a delicious and now necessary part of our Christmas.

[Kris with a K]

My Russian relatives call it Povatiza ("Povateetza"). Love it! They made some for the head table at our wedding....I miss it so much! Never had tried to make it myself. Really should learn!

[grasswire]

Potica is definitely central piece of Slovene culinary Christmas tradition, though quite some people make it for Easter too. In Christmas season, visitors are normally served with potica, which is nice because you get to taste the different family recipes, but can also be quite horrible experience as good potica is a bit tricky to make.
There is a great variation to the walnuts version, made from cream/cottage cheese and tarragon.
Post Christmas/potica greetings from Slovenia.