South Moravia

The god of gluttony Bakchus watches over Moravian traditions. The European Union was going to make this tradition illegal, but those who worship unhealthy eating habits won. What does “zabijačka” in Moravia look like today? Same as it has been for the past centuries. On a cold drizzly morning, usually in December, the butcher and his helpers get the pig ready for its last journey. A quick death, then stirring the blood with a bit of vinegar to stop it coagulating; cleaning, scraping and burning off bristles; the brain with eggs for breakfast. Heart, liver and head are boiled in a cauldron. Cutlets and ham are left to cool down. Cooked meat and offal are processed to make special sausages (jitrnice), haggis and aspic. Mixed with blood, blood sausages or black pudding are made. Lard is fried to make pork scratchings. What a delicacy! Still warm, with a pinch of salt and some home made schnapps.