One of the most interesting activities while exploring Croatia is certainly tasting the diverse Croatian dishes. The mixture of European food and Mediterranean food gives you a variety of tastes that brings Croatian cuisine. Coastal regions have a strong seafood tradition with dominant pasta and risotto combinations. For example, grilled fish, calamari, or octopus are usual seafood dishes served in Dalmatia. On the other hand, inland regions are best known for meat dishes. For example, one of the most popular dishes is Sarma, named for cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice or čevapi. The traditional food of Croatia includes desserts such as Fritule, Krostule or Rozata.
Signature Dishes of Croatian Cuisine
One of the most known Croatian dishes is Peka, the name for a traditional method of slow-cooking meat and vegetables under a bell-shaped lid. Another popular meat dish in Croatia is Cevapi, a name for the grilled minced meat. A unique coastal speciality is Black risotto. This common dish is prepared with cuttlefish or squid ink. Another rich and tasty dish in the Dalmatian region is a slow-cooked beef dish known for its rich and flavourful sauce called Pasticada. In the Istria region, there is one handmade pasta speciality called Pljukanci. It is known for its unique irregular shape with a slight curl at the edges. They are usually served with various sauces, including simple tomato-based sauces or those with meat or seafood.
Delights from the Croatian Sea
Adriatic restaurant menu is mostly composed of seafood such as octopus, shellfish or grilled fish combined with high-quality olive oil from coastal regions of Dalmatia and Istria. For example, Octopus salad is a refreshing dish in Croatian cuisine, known for its vibrant colours and fresh flavours. Another Croatian fisherman's stew that originated in the coastal regions of Croatia is called Brudet. It is a flavourful dish made with various types of fish and shellfish, cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce. Other interesting seafood dishes are Buzara and Gregada and they will delight you with their fresh flavours and simple preparation. Buzara is prepared of shellfish cooked in a delicious sauce made with garlic, white wine, parsley and sometimes tomato. On the other hand, the primary ingredients for Gregada recipe are white fish, potatoes, onions, and olive oil.
Croatian Comfort Foods and Sweets
Besides rich main dishes in Croatian cuisine, the Croatian desserts deserve equal applause since their flavours will delight all your senses. The favourite dessert in the coastal region is Fritule. These small, deep-fried doughnut-like pastries are a festive treat often enjoyed during Christmas and other special occasions. One especially interesting traditional Croatian dessert is Strukli. They can be both savoury and sweet, most often they are prepared with cheese. Popular sweets are also Cupavci, known as Lamingtons in some regions. They are small square-shaped cakes soaked and coated in chocolate icing and covered with desiccated coconut.
Discovering Unique Ingredients in Croatian Cuisine
Those with more refined tastes will explore the authentic flavours of traditional Dalmatia and Istria while staying in one of our beautiful pool villas on the coast. Croatian olive oil is known for its high-quality features, especially in the Istria region. It is widely used in cooking and as a dressing for salads. Another Istrian speciality is Croatian truffles. These wild fungi that grow underground are often used in various Croatian dishes to add a unique and luxurious flavour. Another speciality that you cannot miss while exploring Croatian cuisine is Paski sir, cheese from the island of Pag. There is also a dish called Ston oyster, which originated in the Peljesac Peninsula on the south of Dalmatia. Besides traditional dishes, you must also taste traditional sweet liqueur called Maraschino, which originated in Zadar in Dalmatia.
