Page 7 - Szeged 2021

The most precious spice of Hungarian cuisine, the Szeged
paprika, grows on the rich soils along the River Tisza under
the warm rays of sunshine. Paprika has been cultivated as
an ornamental and medicinal plant since the 16th century,
and the Franciscan monks of Szeged-Alsóváros, who cured
malaria with the spicy peppers, helped to spread its name
far and wide.
It only became a basic spice from the 19th century. Th e aro-
ma-rich, bright red and fragrant ground paprika is an essential
spice of any stew, goulash soup, or even the Szeged fi sh soup.

Today, fish from Lake Fehér (White), in addition to the River
Tisza, serve as the raw material for the fish soup. Th e lake’s

special bird life, which reminds us of birds on the beaches,

is a strictly protected natural value. The Pick salami, made
according to a secret recipe, is well known all over the world.

The Szeged slippers, striking footwear which has a Turkish
origin, are said to be “unmatched”. Both slippers are made on a
single shoemaking last, so only the wearing determines which

is the right and the left of the pair. The making and wearing
of the Szeged slippers is closely intertwined with the history
of the town of Szeged. Szeged slippers were the most typical
footwear of the inhabitants of Szeged during the 19th and
the 20th century.

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