Gemer dumpling balls

Gemer dumpling balls have been in the Gemer region since time immemorial. Potatoes, flour, bacon, cabbage and various types of meat needed for their production were found in every household. Many recipes mention smoked meat as the main ingredient, but the tastiest balls are made from ground pork together with crackers. They were varied on the Feast of the Three Kings, Miners Day, but also on weekdays, when loggers and miners took them to work to feed them for the entire shift.

This specialty is done in two ways. One of them is Gemer dumpling balls with dynamite. They are called dynamite because it resembles a meat ball that is wrapped in potato mass. However, balls are usually mixed texture, especially in the area of Revúca. They are prepared in the same way as those with dynamite, only here the meat filling is skilfully mixed with the potato mass. They are also served with fried onions or fermented cabbage.

Today, visitors to the region, in addition to every good restaurant on Gemer, can also taste Gemer balls during the Days of the City of Jelšava, where a competition for cooking this delicacy has been held for several years. This year the Days will be held on June 13 and 14.