Ričet

Ričet is a cherished traditional dish originating from Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, and Bavaria. This hearty, thick soup is a blend of wholesome ingredients, typically including pot barley, beans, potatoes, carrots, parsley, celery, leeks, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cured pork. Due to its starchy nature, ričet shares a texture similar to risotto, but it can be easily adjusted to a more soup-like consistency by adding additional water.

The name "ričet" is primarily used in central Slovenia, particularly around Ljubljana, and it is believed to have its roots in the Styrian German words "ritschet" or "ritschert." Some linguists suggest that it may derive from the German words "rutschen" (to slip, slide) and "rutschig" (slippery), possibly alluding to the dish's somewhat greasy texture. Interestingly, ričet has a historical twist, as it was once commonly served to prisoners.