Caraway (Carum carvi)
Caraway is one of the few plants widely used as a seasoning that is also native to Slovenia, where it occurs mainly at slightly higher altitudes. It is a biennial: in the first year it develops only leaves. The fruit splits into two mericarps, commonly referred to as “seeds”, and is extremely widespread in the diet across almost all of Slovenia, although less so in the Primorska region. It is added to rye bread, cabbage and meat, especially roasts. Some people also sprinkle caraway over savoury pastries. It is used in powdered form as well, where its aroma of carvone, a terpene, is particularly pronounced. In addition to its culinary use, it is also employed as a digestive remedy.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
In most of Slovenia fennel grows only as a cultivated plant, while in Primorska it is also thought to occur naturally. Its medicinal properties are well known, but in Slovene Istria it is also used as a seasoning. In spring the young leaves, which are feathery and strongly aromatic, are added to beans or potatoes, vegetable soups and omelettes. Because of its aroma (deriving from essential oils), some people add it to spirits together with other aromatic plants to make herb brandy. The cultivated form of fennel also includes so-called bulb fennel, which is grown for its white, fleshy “bulbs” (actually swollen leaf bases) and was introduced to Slovenia from Italian cuisine.
Thyme (Thymus sp.)
Thyme is a genus comprising several closely related species that grow wild in different parts of Slovenia. It is particularly abundant on the Karst plateau, since it thrives on limestone soils and in strong sunshine. True thyme is also cultivated in gardens, both as a seasoning and for herbal tea, as well as for ornamental use as a ground-cover plant. Its medicinal properties are well known, especially in teas and tinctures, but it is also widely used as a seasoning in the preparation of meat dishes, potatoes, various vegetable soups and sauces. In Mediterranean countries it is an indispensable ingredient in marinades for meat and fish. It gives off a pleasant aroma, owing to its essential oils, and has a slightly pungent taste.
