The World | Europe | Slovakia

Slovak cuisine is strongly influenced by that of Hungary and Austria. Slovak meals are filling and nourishing and include rich meat stews and hearty soups. Staples include root vegetables, potatoes, sausages, dense wheat and rye breads, and cabbage, which is stuffed, put into soups and stews, and made into sauerkraut. Dairy products are used in many baked goods and creamy gravies and sauces, and sour cream is popular with vegetable dishes. The main seasonings used in Slovak cooking are onions, garlic, mushrooms, and poppy and caraway seeds.