Learn about the Croatian cuisine!
Croatian cuisine is an interesting blend of Mediterranean and Eastern European flavors, and it is known for its seafood, meats, and fresh vegetables and is influenced by the country's historical connections to other parts of Europe and the Mediterranean. Croatian cuisine has been influenced by Italian, Austrian, Hungarian, and Turkish cuisines, and it is characterized by a mix of flavors and cooking techniques. The country's long coastline and rich agricultural land have contributed to the development of its distinctive culinary traditions of various regions that nowadays have their own specific and very different cuisines.
Central Croatia is the region that borders Hungary, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dishes made in that region once were popular rustic dishes, such as ones made of corn meal, fresh cheese, sausages, or sour cabbage. As well, that region is known for baroque castles where bourgeois meals will be distinguished, especially in salsas and venison. The meal you absolutely must try is Grah s kobasicom (beans with sausages), Krpice sa zeljem (pasta with cabbage), Purica s mlincima (turkey with dumplings), Samoborska kotlovina (pork and potato stew), Zagorski štrukli (traditional Zagorje pastry), and Bučnica (pumpkin pie).
Slavonia is a northern Croatian region known for feeding the whole of Croatia for centuries and for cooking in the open air by the riverside of the Sava River and the Danube. The best-known dishes of those regions are riblji i mesni paprikaš (fish and meat stew), jela s ražnja (dishes on a spit), čobanac (beef stew), šunka (ham), kulen i kulenova seka (traditional sausages) along with the traditional sweets baked on lard, such as Salenjaci.
Continental and Mediterranean cuisine are met in Istrian cuisine, which is a gastronomical phenomenon at the global level. Popular cuisine is based on omelets, always made with fresh eggs. As well, the influence of Italian cuisine is very important, always made from high-quality flour and hand-made. Ingredients that are commonly used include white and black truffles, asparagus, goat cheese, pancetta, prosciutto, sausages, pork loin, venison, as well as seafood as top quality white flesh fish, crustaceans, and other seafood. Don't miss eating Fritaja (egg omelet with asparagus) Fuži (hand-made pasta often served with truffles) or Maneštra od bobići (traditional Istrian soup).
Central and southern Dalmatia is known for seafood, which is a staple of coastal cuisine. Some popular seafood dishes include brudet (a fish stew made with a variety of fish) and pečena hobotnica (grilled octopus). Dalmatian cooking insists on simplicity, but always with quality ingredients straight from the garden or the sea. In addition to that, Dalmatian cuisine also includes a number of grilled meats, including pork, lamb, and chicken, which are often served with roasted potatoes or vegetables. Another popular dish is pašticada, a slow-cooked beef dish that is marinated in red wine and served with gnocchi. If you are vegetarian, you shouldn't miss Soparnik (a savory pie with a filling of Swiss chard). When you go south, towards Dubrovnik, you can try frogs in Neretva or shellfish at Ston or Konavoska zelena menestra (smoked meat and cabbage stew).
Vegetables are an essential part of Croatian cuisine, and the country is known for its fresh produce, including tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini. Croatian cuisine also includes a number of grain and legume dishes, such as a bean stew. The use of fresh ingredients is crucial, and the country is home to a number of farmers' markets and roadside stands where local produce and products can be purchased. Croatian cuisine is also influenced by the country's tradition of preserving and pickling, and many dishes include pickled vegetables or fruits.
In addition to its savory dishes, Croatian cuisine also includes a variety of sweet treats, such as pastries and cookies. Some popular Croatian sweets include rožata, a caramel custard dessert, also known in Spain and France, and kremšnita, a cream cake. Croatian cuisine is also known for its bread, including pogača, a type of bread roll, and klipić, a type of flatbread.
Croatian cuisine is traditionally served family-style, with a variety of dishes being placed on the table for everyone to share. Overall, Croatian cuisine is a delicious and diverse blend of flavors, and it is an integral part of the country's culture and history. Whether dining on a seaside terrace or enjoying a home-cooked meal, Croatian cuisine will surely delight your taste buds.