AboutSam Expertise I can answer questions about the country`s history, culture, politics, economy, geography. I speak fluent Slovak. If you are planning a visit, I can recommend the places to see - especially the nature in Slovakia is worth it.
Experience I am a Slovak which makes me an expert in the language and culture. I am also a traveller so I know Slovakia quite well. I will do anything to find out the answer to your question.
Question Every Easter we make "Easter cheese," as we sometimes call it, by cooking
eggs and milk in a double boiler until curds form, and then we pour it into
cheesecloth and hang it until all the liquid has run off and we are left with a
solid ball. I know it's Slovak because my great aunt (who was from Kosice)
also used to make it every Easter (though I think she used to add a little garlic
salt to it). We always call it something that sounds like hrupka or hrutka, and
it's been driving me nuts as to its proper name. Do you know what I'm talking
about?
Answer Hi Scott,
you are right, hrudka is made in Slovakia, but it's not one of those traditions that is followed by everyone (as, for example, the Thanksgiving turkey in the US). Some make it, some don't. And I would not be surprised to find that it's made in other coutries too.
So, the Slovak spelling is "hrudka", which is a diminutive for "hruda", which stands for a lump or a clod. I guess you could translate it as a small lump.
Here's a short pronunciation guide:
hrudka -> hroot-kah
hruda -> hroo-dah
In both of the above, the "oo" is short as in foot (as opposed to root). Don't pronounce the trailing "h"; I only use it to show that "da" should not be pronounced as "day".
I hope this helps you enjoy your hrudka better :-)
