Hungary can get very hot in the summer. In the extreme heat, you may not want to spend long hours in the kitchen, cooking something heavy and time-consuming. These snacks are perfect to just nibble at home or get on the beach.
Corn on the cob
There is nothing easier in the summer than to boil some water, put the corn in it, and then dive in about ten minutes later, as this is usually how long it takes to cook it. The perfection of corn on the cob definitely lies in its simplicity: it is delicious with just a pinch of salt on it. Some eat it with butter, which is also simple but heavenly. Of course, you can experiment with it, and grill it instead, adding sour cream to it, for instance, or any number of dressings – your imagination is the only limit.
Kürtőskalács
Even though kürtőskalács (chimney cake) is now a popular feature of Christmas markets in Hungary, a lot of Hungarians grew up eating it in the summer while vacationing at Lake Balaton and having it as an afternoon snack. The delicious pastry is crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. There are several flavours to it. The classic ones are vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa, walnuts, or coconut. Nowadays, you can get any mixture of these, and there may be more extreme ones out there, too.
If you feel up for the challenge, you can try to make your own at home following this recipe.
Cheese sticks
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Cheese sticks are a popular Hungarian snack to make. It is great if you are expecting guests, as it is really quick and easy to make. However, you do not need to have the excuse of guests to make it – since it is one of those pastries that only gets better with time, you can easily make a big batch at a time and enjoy it as long as it lasts, minimising your efforts but maximising the results you get out of it.
An alternative is making pogács, for which you can find the recipe here.
Lángos
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It is true that lángos is not a particularly light and easy meal. It is cooked in a generous amount of oil, topped with garlic, sour cream, and cheese (at least, this is the classic version). However, if you are at Lake Balaton, spending the whole day in the water, it is so refreshing to get some lángos for lunch or dinner, or even in between the two meals. Lángos is a must if you are visiting Hungary, so either you are on the beach or in the city near a food truck, it is always a good idea to opt for this delicious Hungarian dish.
If you already know you love it, try making it at home with the help of this recipe.
Perfect Hungarian drinks for the summer