Bosnian Icecream (Earth, America, cult, Zen, holidays)

[Djamila]

Icecream is, for all Europeans, what a hot dog is for Americans. It's the symbolic snack that goes with absolutely every sunny, summer afternoon.

It's also greatly varied and differs in style from country to country almost as much as pizza. From the frozen, firm Neopolitan of Italy - to the gooey, creamy Green Apple of Bosnia - thickness and texture of the icecream itself, as well as flavors, vary greatly.

Most Americans I know of, who've had Bosnian icecream, weren't particularly fond of it. I, in the same way, can't even eat North American icecream. It's like they make it from ice and completely forgot the cream half of the equation.

Icecream shops, called Slasticarnica, are everywhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A village with 1,000 people will alone have three or four. As with pizza, each slasticarnica has its own cult clientelle who swear theirs is the best icecream to be had on the face of the earth.

This is a typical Bosnian Slasticarnica:

And a close-up of the Chocolate and Green Apple flavors of Bosnia's famously gooey, creamy ice cream...

[dawny0826]

Wow! That's some creamy stuff!

Looks yummy and looks very rich.

I'm quite fond of "North American" icecream but believe you me, you wouldn't have to offer Bosnian icecream to me twice.

It is pasteurized, right?

What are your favorite flavors?

[Djamila]

I'm not sure if its pasteurized or not, I would assume so but in Eastern Europe it's never safe to assume such things.

My favorite flavor is Green Apple actually. That's why I made an example of it - lol. I also like Bubblegum. There are some Slasticarnicas here they offer Italian and Albanian icecream. I really prefer the Italian strawberry, it has a better flavor than Bosnian. And Albanians have the best if you like textured. Bosnian icecream is, with some exceptions, normally a solid icecream dripped with sugar syrup of concentrated flavor. Albanian icecream always has pieces of something in it - fruit, cookies, whatever the flavor. There's always something in the icecream and it's really quite good!

[dawny0826]

Originally Posted by Djamila

I'm not sure if its pasteurized or not, I would assume so but in Eastern Europe it's never safe to assume such things.

My favorite flavor is Green Apple actually. That's why I made an example of it - lol. I also like Bubblegum. There are some Slasticarnicas here they offer Italian and Albanian icecream. I really prefer the Italian strawberry, it has a better flavor than Bosnian. And Albanians have the best if you like textured. Bosnian icecream is, with some exceptions, normally a solid icecream dripped with sugar syrup of concentrated flavor. Albanian icecream always has pieces of something in it - fruit, cookies, whatever the flavor. There's always something in the icecream and it's really quite good!

Sounds yummy!

"North American" icecream varies as well.

I'm quite fond of coffee flavored icecream, chocolate and Edy's makes this great Pumpkin and Gingerbread flavored icecreams for the holidays.

Gingerbread is my favorite...it has little pieces of gingerbread cookies in it. HMMMM.

Djamila, if I'm ever in Bosnia...I'll have to look you up, so we can go out for icecream. Pasteurized or not...that stuff looks scrumptious.

Do you all partake in banana splits? Or sundaes? Is this a North American thing or do European shops have treats similar to this as well.

What about icecream cones? MMM....after a big Thanksgiving dinner...I could really go for some icecream.