Winter’s long, dreary nights and bone-chilling days can feel pretty gloomy, so it’s no wonder many people dread the coldest season! But winter also has a special kind of magic, like the cozy embrace of a warm sweater. In the Balkans, though, it’s a pantry full of goodies. Yes, Serbian zimnica is a little jar of sunshine, brimming with sugar, spice, and everything delicious!
If you’d like a taste, let’s crack open the lid on Serbia’s most delicious secrets!
Savory, Sweet, and Pickled: What Is Serbian Zimnica?
So, what is zimnica exactly? In short, it’s fruits and veggies preserved in jars, bottles, plastic containers, or barrels. Balkan people make these preserves in summer or autumn and enjoy them in winter when fresh produce is hard to find.
Now, saying that an average Serb has a large appetite is an understatement. As a result, most folks’ pantries are loaded with zimnica. And it’s not just about quantity either — Serbian canned products come in an outstanding variety, keeping everyone’s taste buds entertained all winter.
Types of Serbian Zimnica
Yes, the Serbian jarred goods come in too many colors and flavors to fit into one article (or pantry), so we’ll only cover the most popular ones.
Kiseli krastavčići
The pride of every Serbian household, kiseli krastavčići (pickled cucumbers), are a perfect blend of salty and zesty. They’ll complement any main dish and add color to every predjelo (appetizer plate).
Although we don’t recommend this if you’re watching your sodium intake, some people even eat pickles directly from the jar as a snack. That’s how good they are!
Ajvar
Another staple, ajvar, is creamy, savory, and fragrant. Sounds irresistible, right? Not only that, this spread made from peppers is an ideal option for a quick breakfast. Just spread it on a slice of bread, and you’re good to go!
Otherwise, you can enjoy it as a side dish, a dip, or a pastry filling. Can’t go wrong with ajvar!
Šarena salata
As the name suggests, šarena salata (colorful salad) boasts a vibrant look. Of course, these vivid colors result from the various ingredients mingling together in a tangy liquid, like carrots, cauliflowers, peppers, eggplant, and more.
All of them mixed inside the same jar make for an ideal salad that’ll add hue to bleak winter days and tons of vitamins and minerals to your meals.
Kiseli kupus
When it comes to kiseli kupus (sour kraut), you’ll find it in a barrel, not a jar. As you may imagine, it’s cabbage steeped in water and left to ferment for several weeks.
Once it’s ready, kiseli kupus is salty, tangy, and satisfying. Did we mention that it’s also a rich source of probiotics?
If you’re wondering how to eat it, you can just toss it on a plate as a salad or use it in other dishes like sarma and podvarak.
Džem, Kompot, Slatko
On the sweeter side of Serbian pantries, you’ll find fruity delights.
First, džem (jam) made of plums, strawberries, apricots, or other fruits will appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth. You can also find all these fruits in a kompot (compote) — boiled fruits served as a drink or a dessert.
Another goodie made of fruits, slatko is much thicker and sweeter than the previous two. Therefore, you should only eat a spoonful at a time and chase it with water.
Sok
Finally, no pantry is complete without good old domaći sok (homemade juice). Apples, raspberries, or blackberries — you name it — are processed into a rich, thick syrup. Then you just dilute it with water and — živeli!
Vocab Related to Zimnica
Speaking of zimnica, we should also mention the related phrases.
Tegla (glass jars)
Most Serbs own tons of empty glass jars. Come summer and especially fall, they fill them with jams, pickles, ajvar, homemade ketchup, and other goods and then line them up on shelves. So, if you’ve ever wondered why your Serbian friend never throws away used jars — yes, this is why!
Another thing — if you see a jar of Nutella in a Serb’s fridge — it’s probably a pickle or jam inside.
Špajz (pantry)
Speaking of shelves, you’ll find them in špajz. In short, it’s a pantry — not the cupboard type, but a small room. It should be dark, cool, and well-organized to keep your jarred goodies safe and snug all winter.
Podrum (basement, cellar)
Do you have a podrum (basement)? If so, you’re in luck since that means even more space for zimnica. Colder, darker, and more spacious than a pantry, a basement is an ideal spot to keep your kiseli kupus, homemade rakija, and, of course, countless jarred products.
More Than Canned Goods
Indeed, zimnica isn’t just food — it’s a tradition that brings people together. Especially in the countryside, canning is a team effort. Perhaps your neighbor has a wood stove and plums, while you’ve got firewood and pickles. Then, you may make zimnica together and share the final products. As they say, it takes a village!
On top of sharing and socializing, zimnica plays an important role in gift-giving. Since most Serbs pride themselves on their generosity, they’ll often bring bagfuls of canned goods when visiting their friends and relatives.
Where to Get Zimnica?
As long as you’re staying in Serbia, it’s simple! Just go to a local supermarket. Conveniently, even small shops often sell popular goods like ajvar, pickles, or jams.
If you’re looking for something more authentic (and healthier), you can also buy from small businesses and folks who make zimnica at home. Find them online or ask your Serbian friends for recommendations.
Either way, these goodies are an ideal souvenir to take home after your stay in Serbia.
Unfortunately, it may be hard (or impossible) to buy Serbian zimnica in your home country. So, as an alternative, you can learn the art of canning and do it at home. Buy or repurpose some jars, stock up on seasonal produce, and get down to business!
Time to Treat Your Tastebuds to Serbian Zimnica
Finally, Serbian zimnica is more than a treat — it’s a taste of tradition that keeps winter days warm, zingy, and vibrant. But don’t take our word for it — savor the flavor yourself! Find your favorite zimnica at a local supermarket or, even better, get into making jarred goodies at home.
Would you like to dig even deeper into Serbian culture? Then, start by learning the language! Sign up for our Serbian online lessons and add more flavor to your cultural journey. Prijatno!