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Elena Meat Delicacy Festival 2023 is being held for the tenth time

Photo: Local council of Tourism in Elena

There is almost no house in the town of Elena, Veliko Tarnovo region, in which the meat delicacy called "elenski but" is not prepared. People maintain the tradition and prepare the delicacy every year. 

Only the specific climate of the Balkan Range near the town of Elena can give the unique taste of this salted and dried pork leg delicacy. A local holiday is also dedicated to this meat product which this year is being held for the 10th consecutive time (November 10-12). 

Traditionally, the culinary event gathers guests from the country and abroad, as  in 2022 a record of 50,000 visitors was set. The celebration of the delicacy is not just a culinary festival, but an event that has its own atmosphere and spirit, say the organizers from the Municipality of Elena and the Local Council for Tourism. 


On the days of the holiday, the streets are filled with artisans from all over Bulgaria as everyone strives to entice customers with their delicacies. "And the recipe for preparing a dried pork leg at home only looks difficult", says Bai Sava Kovachev.  "The spices and the very salting of the meat in the pot with rock salt are important."‎



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