When it comes to Hungary, who would not have heard of one of the region’s most famous traditional dishes, the goulash? This delightful, rich flavored meal is an indispensable pillar of Hungarian cuisine, and many families make it on a weekly basis.
Hungarian Goulash History
How did goulash come about and how did it gain so much popularity? The origins of goulash are dated back to the 17-18th century when it was one of the frequently eaten meals of the shepherds. Due to the big number of cattle in the region, beef was the usual meat basis of goulash, but the consumption of lambs also became more and more common. By the end of the 18th century, goulash as a term has appeared in Hungarian sources.
Not only it was a popular meal among the peasants, but soldiers liked it too. Due to its simplicity, it was easy to make it even in humble living conditions, and because of its very delicate taste, it quickly spread among the nobles as well.
From the 19th century, the popularity of goulash grew steadily: it appeared in cookbooks, it was officially added to the dictionaries and became popular in many restaurants as well. Goulash is a popular meal even to this day, which can be found in many different versions across Hungary.
Interesting facts about goulash
Although the food itself started gaining ground in the 17-18th century, the name “goulash” can be traced back to the Árpád-dynasty. The reason for this is that goulash is not only the name of a food but also the term used to describe Hungarian shepherds. Since it first became popular among the peasants, the name of the food got connected to the shepherds. Goulash can be made in several ways: you can include various vegetables, noodles or even sour cream in the recipe.
3 Fantastic Goulash Versions
Though the name goulash stands for a traditional Hungarian meal, there are many different variations of it. Get familiar with three unforgettable goulash recipes!
Bogrács goulash
This version of goulash is cooked over an open fire with the help a big metal cooking pot. We call it “bográcsozás” and it is not just simply cooking, it is a ritual that brings together the family and friends, no matter the size or importance of the event.
This method gives a special taste to the food, which would be impossible to reproduce in a kitchen.
The most popular dish to prepare in a kettle or cauldron is the goulash, of course! There are many different recipes, and every chef or housewife has their own tips, special ingredients or a preparation method that they perfected over the years.
Szeged-style Goulash
The goulash of Szeged is almost identical to the classic goulash, with a bigger focus on vegetables and a traditional Hungarian noodle called “csipetke” or “nokedli”. Of course, you cannot miss the classic Szegedi paprika either, which is responsible for the beautiful red color and the unique spicy flavor. Pandúr Goulash
Tradition has it that Pandur goulash originated in Jászberény, a town some 100 km. east of Budapest. Its main feature is that they add champignons, green peas, French beans and root parsley too and season it with marjoram, giving the goulash a very special flavor.
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Source:
* https://dailynewshungary.com/hungarian-outdoor-cooking-bogracsozas/
** https://www.thehungarianpaprika.hu/en/uses/goulash/