Fried Chicken Drumsticks (Leteči žganci)
According to written sources from the 17th century, fried chicken drumsticks and fried chicken wings were the most popular dish among the workers (fakini) of the Ljubljana city port. Fakini would often enjoy them for lunch at Zlata ladjica, where they are served to this day.
Jokingly, these workers started calling fried chicken drumsticks and fried chicken wings ‘leteči žganci’ or ‘flying žganci.' Žganci are one of the most traditional meals that one can get in Slovenia, a poor man's food similar to polenta.
Bogataj, Janez. Taste Slovenia. Ljubljana: Rokus Gifts & National Geographic, 2007.
Recipe
Ingredients:
4 chicken drumsticks and 4 chicken wings
120 g flour
3 eggs
120 g bread crumbs
salt to taste
oil for frying
Instructions:
Take the chicken drumsticks and chicken wings, and salt them. Leave them at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before frying - if the meat is cold, the temperature of the oil will drop too much once we add the meat to it.
Put flour into one deep plate, bread crumbs into another and beat the eggs together in a third.
Bread the chicken meat by first dredging in flour, then dipping in eggs, and finally, rolling in bread crumbs.
Deep-fry in oil, heated to 175C (350F) until done and golden in color, approximately 7 minutes on each side. It should reach the minimum internal temperature of 74C (165F).
Season with salt and squeezed fresh lemon juice.
Serve warm.