Harvest flavours: discover the traditional harvest dishes of the country

The luscious taste of that first sip of wine can transport you back to the special world of harvesting. The harvest atmosphere is unique to this day: the shared work and fun, and the experience of seeing the fruits of years of toil become tangible, a lovable, much-anticipated community event at the start of autumn. Even though harvesting has always been primarily a physical activity, there are a number of folk customs associated with it that make it a celebration. However, as with all fun and hard work, a meal together is an essential part of the celebrations, so too is the harvest a time for delicious meals and snacks. There are many events around the country where you can experience the unadulterated harvest fun, explore the countryside and indulge in traditional food.

Villány’s historic wine region is an unmissable destination in autumn. The home of full-bodied red wines offers gastronomic experiences and wine tastings, and the beautiful countryside is perfect for autumn walks. The highest peak of the Villányi Hills is Szársomlyó, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding area, which you can also explore on a guided tour. At the foot of the hill is a mining cove with limestone sculptures.

When you are tired of hiking, you can visit the historic cellars of Villány and taste some of the finest wine in Hungary. The Villány Red Wine Festival, the largest event in the wine region, takes place in October. In addition to traditional programmes and wine, the main focus here is on cabbage, and just as good wine requires good grapes, so too does the quality of the ingredients for harvest cabbage. You can find both here. And even more: in addition to Swabian and stuffed cabbage, you can also try specialities such as fried stuffed cabbage.

The small villages of the Őrség region also show their impressive faces at this time of year. It’s a time when the peace and quiet of the countryside is condensed, and the crisp air, autumn colours and rolling hills of the countryside create a romantic atmosphere. In the villages of Őriszentpéter, Magyarszombatfa, Nagyrákos and Szalafő, the Őrség Autumn Festival is the biggest cultural and gastronomic event of the year. The best regional dishes are dödölle and homemade strudel. A typical speciality of the region, this potato dish is a must if you are in the area. And for dessert, try the real local strudel! What traditionally makes a strudel a “traditional” Őrség-style one? Well, from the pumpkin and the poppyseed, which melt together in our mouth in a perfect harmony that we will remember for a long time.

One of the oldest harvest events in our country is linked to the Tokaj Mountains. The Tokaj-Hegyalja Harvest Days are usually held in the first week of October. In addition to the harvest parade and the grape harvesting ceremony, there is also a special gastronomic programme. The speciality of the place is wine soup, for which the high-quality Tokaj aszú is indispensable. But goose or duck liver with wine is also a classic. At the same time, the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region is a World Heritage Site and has plenty to offer that is worth a visit. After a nice lunch, you can visit, for example, the Finánc-hill lookout or explore the Seven Grapes nature trail. If you want a longer tour, the Miracle Rabbis’ Trail offers a unique insight into the history of the Jews who once lived in the area, and a glimpse behind the walls of a closed culture. The pilgrimage trail takes you through 10 villages, starting and ending in Mád, visiting charming synagogues and the Acetania Vinegar Museum! Worth it!