The Lipič-Passero-Sotošek family from Tešanovci can without any special immodesty sign their names under the presentation of their joint offer of the Joys of Prekmurje, in which they claim that while their estate is old, they are young. And furthermore, “From generation to generation, we have passed on diligence, hospitality and values. We take what we have acquired with love and care. We change to preserve, and like to pass it on. We know that it is good to share good things.” Foto: www.passero.si
The Lipič-Passero-Sotošek family from Tešanovci can without any special immodesty sign their names under the presentation of their joint offer of the Joys of Prekmurje, in which they claim that while their estate is old, they are young. And furthermore, “From generation to generation, we have passed on diligence, hospitality and values. We take what we have acquired with love and care. We change to preserve, and like to pass it on. We know that it is good to share good things.” Foto: www.passero.si
Passero
All their products include their logo, a sparrow, which is the meaning of their surname Passero in Italian. If you take a closer look, you will see that the sparrow’s wing is in the shape of a linden leaf, which symbolises Slovenia. Foto: www.passero.si

Guests and casual visitors to the Passero Estate will be treated to a diverse culinary offer. Those with particularly sensitive taste buds can enjoy Prekmurje ham, meat, pâtés, sausages, and spreads with unique flavours, pumpkin seed oil, home-made bread, juices, spirits and awarded wines that can be collected from the shelves of the small Farmers Shop Passero.

A winery, a small farmer’s shop, a farmhouse inn, and a country chocolaterie that opened this year are all part of the farm, which has left a significant imprint on supplementary agricultural activities not only in Prekmurje, but throughout Slovenia. Their products are marketed under the Passero trademark. The Italian surname Passero means sparrow and serves as the logo for their trademark.

Chocolate pralines kindled love
The Country Chocolaterie Passero is part of their offer. The story of the chocolaterie is being written by two young people, Tomaž and Jasmina, who met while studying at the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana, where they both graduated in food technology. Their love story actually began with chocolate. When Tomaž was still courting Jasmina, he gave her chocolate pralines for Christmas which he had made especially for her. The thoughtful and heartfelt gift not only ignited her passion for him, but also the passion to make chocolate. Imagination and playfulness came to the fore and interesting chocolate ideas were born. The first was a chocolate wedding, then the joint business venture and a country chocolaterie and, along the way, a decision to tell chocolate stories was made. Each new story becomes eternal.

A chocolate story about Prekmurje
Tomaž and Jasmina get the flavours for their masterpieces from Prekmurje, since it is the region they know best. Who could resist the rich flavour of home-made pumpkin seed oil? Pumpkins are an important product of the region. Housewives prepare various pumpkin soups, sauces and spreads, roast pumpkin, pumpkin pies, rolls, cakes and dumplings. On the other hand, Jasmina and Tomaž make chocolates with pumpkin filling. Pralines with pumpkin filling are really incredible. And when I wonder how they make the filling so thick, they only smile mysteriously. That is their secret.

Nevertheless, the Chocolate Joys of Prekmurje, fruits of the imagination of both young people, are flavoured not only with pumpkin, but also jurka grapes, pears, elderflower and Traminer wine. They are particularly proud of their chocolate pears with stalks. Well, they really do melt in the mouth. It is not only the chocolate that is delicious; the pear is perfectly dried and still soft. These dried pears are not from a shopping centre where, too often unfortunately, Slovenians buy vegetables from foreign producers. Here in Prekmurje, people are aware that Slovenian farmers have to be supported.

When I asked them if they missed the hustle and bustle of Ljubljana, since they are young, and Prekmurje is on the margins of Slovenia, they looked at each other and said, “Well, it is true that we have to take the car everywhere we go, but we are never bored anyway. If we are not making chocolate goodies, we help with other chores on the farm.”

Tanja Glogovčan, SINFO