Osmize

Bunches of ivy tied to sticks and accompanied by arrows, hung out along the road or outside stone gateways. If you cross the Karst, especially in the summer months, it isn’t hard to stumble across these traditional signs on the plateau, in local jargon called a "frasca". They’re worth following as they lead to authentic local treasures: the osmize.

These are temporary points of sale for local products, managed directly by the producers themselves who set out tables and benches in their cellars and courtyards, on their lawns under the olive trees or on large terraces overlooking the sea. It is an ancient custom, regulated by the Habsburg Joseph II in 1784, which allowed farmers to sell their products for eight days a year, hence the name: osem, which in Slovenian means eight.

Even today the osmize are open for short periods of the year, because they can only sell what is produced locally. The atmosphere is homely and cheerful, the customers often arriving with musical instruments that, after a few drinks in company, are used to accompany the spontaneous choirs of those present.

The products on sale are usually cold dishes, consisting of cheese, boiled eggs,  pickles and above all various sausages together with a range of hams, and salamis, all accompanied by local wines, especially Teran and Vitovska.

There is, however, a very important caveat: the opening periods of the individual osmize vary from year to year. It is advisable to verify directly with the producers themselves or consult the many websites that cover them, particularly www.osmize.com.

Malchina osmize:

Osmica Fabec

Osmiza Pipan Klaric

Osmiza Tercon

Osmiza Angelini / Gabrovec

Osmiza Pipan Vasilij

Osmiza Na Púkinšči