Let's discover Croatia
Croatian cuisine
I am very passionate about cooking, so to speak I would describe myself as a real "foodie". I was therefore particularly interested in the rich cuisine that is Croatian cuisine (This is surely the reason why I gained 3 kilos this year 😅). My roommates and my Croatian friends accompanied me a lot in my discovery of this fabulous cuisine. Croatian cuisine is very varied, and offers different types of dishes. Croatian cuisine is characterized by the influence of Hungarian, Austrian, Turkish and Italian cultures. With Italy nearby, the Istria region is particularly influenced by Italian cuisine.
Here are some of my favorite Croatian dishes:
I know it is unusual to start with dessert, but this dish largely deserves its first place in my ranking of the best Croatian dishes. Baklava is a dessert made from filo pastry, pistachio, honey and orange blossom water. It is a dish that is difficult to find in Istria but more easily in Slavonia. It is a real delight on the palate, perfect served with a mint tea! You can find them in supermarkets for € 3 or € 4 for 300 grams, but the homemade version is much better and cheaper. The best Baklavas in Pula are sold at Slastičarna Giardini (Giardini 8, 52100, Pula, Croatia), for 8 kunas (€ 1.07) only per Baklava, enough to enjoy a delicious dessert at a low price.
Baklava
Čevapi
I tasted this dish for the first time at a Balkan party with my roommates, and I loved it. The ćevapi is a roll of ground beef and veal (pork is sometimes added to the mixture). It is often grilled on the barbecue, and served with kajmak (a very fatty version of fresh cheese), onions and a lepinja bread (a flat round bread). Ćevapis are widely used in local fast food restaurants, making them a sort of Croatian kebab.
Burek
Burek is a savory pastry made from filo pastry, fried or baked in the oven. There are several versions of burek: cheese, potato, spinach, meat, ... You can find this pastry in any bakery in Croatia. It is both crisp and tender and ideal for eating on the go for cheap, making it one of the favorite dishes of Croatian students.
Štrukli
During one of my stays in Zagreb, I had the chance to taste this typical Croatian dish which is the specialty of the region. The štrukli are served hot, they are made with a dough reminiscent of pasta, fresh cheese and cream. It may seem heavy enough, but first of all I will tell you that it is above all delicious, and it suits this region where the winters are harsh and very snowy.
Zagorska juha
Any good meal in Croatia begins with a plate of soup; it is often a broth in which starchy foods are added for a more satisfying effect, whether gnocchi, pasta or semolina (wheat or corn). The traditional soup is "Zagorska juha", served in a loaf of fresh and crisp bread. It is prepared with carrots, boletus mushrooms, white wine, garlic and bacon. This traditional soup comes from the Zagorje region. This very nutritious dish is very popular in autumn and winter, it is said to be the best remedy for hangovers. There are other soups made with chicken, beef or veal. Some put fish in the spotlight, like the one served with carrots and rice, very popular in Dalmatia.
With Italy close, pasta is on the menu of all restaurants, including fuži, finely rolled macaroni. The smoked ham (prosciutto) from Istria is one of the most famous in Croatia. Istrian soup (supa) is prepared with slightly heated red wine, olive oil, sugar and pepper and pieces of toast.
Finally, grilled fish and seafood, as elsewhere on the Adriatic coast, are not to be overlooked. Istria also produces some of the best wines in Croatia: Teran, a robust red, and Malvazija, a light and fruity white. In the hinterland, a wine route allows you to meet the winegrowers and taste some good little vintages.