TOP 10 dishes of Croatian cuisine which you absolutely must try if you travel to this country.
Croatia consists of a number of regions with their “own rich” culture, history, character and, of course, cuisine. Every single of those regions have their own traditional foods.
Most of the foods and meals mentioned in this top are included into the list of the non-material cultural heritage of Croatia.
In this article, I will mention and describe top 10 of the most famous and delicious foods of Croatia, which you’d definitely want to try in order to feel the history on your tongue.
Zagorje – the region close to Zagreb
Zagorski štrukli
A simple and finger-licking delicious dish known as Zagorski strukli is extremely popular in Zagreb and Zagorje.
Zagorski strukli is a traditional Croatian meal, which consists of the dough and a variety of fillings. Cottage cheese – sweet or savoury – is the most common one.
Strukli can be either baked or roasted. They are a part of the Croatian non-material cultural heritage list.
➝ recipe of the classic Zagorske strukli
Zagrebački odrezak
In Zagreb – the capital city of Croatia – people love and cherish their favorite dish – the Zagrebacki odrezak.
Zagrebacki odrezak is named after the City of Zagreb itself, and is practically a veal schnitzel filled with ham, cheese or Cordon bleu.
Definitely try the schnitzel when you visit Zagreb ;)
Samoborska kremšnita
Another food that’s been listed as the non-material cultural heritage of Croatia is the dessert Samoborska kremsnita. Kremsnita is produced in a little town of Samobor, in accordance with a traditional recipe.
Samoborska kremsnita is a delicate soft dessert, made of the thick butter cream layered between the thin sheets of puff pastry dough, and lightly sprinkled with sugar powder.
Sarma
Sarma is a delicious winter dish, which is, essentially, the cabbage rolls with the minced meat filling, roasted in the smoked meat juices.
Sarma is highly nutritious and is considered a winter-time meal.
The most perfect place and time to try sarma is the winter season in the North Croatia, although it can easily be found all over Croatia.
Međimurska gibanica
Medimurska gibanica is a traditional third course of the Medumurje region, located in the north of Croatia.
It is an intriguing and rich-flavoured dessert. Medimurska gibanica is known for its unique combination of the puff pastry dough and four fillings – nuts, cottage cheese, poppy seeds, apples, as well as plenty of other ingredients.
Istria
Fuži s tartufima
The Istria region has always been known for its truffles.
It is simply impossible to visit Istria and not try the meal infused with truffles, accompanying it with the traditional white wine – Istarska Malvazija ))
In Istria, you can even find restaurants that would serve a dessert made of that delicacy mushroom.
Fuzi – the truffle pasta – the traditional dish of the Istrian region.
Maneštra
Istarska manestra is a spring vegetable ragu – a thick Istrian soup – pretty similar to the Italian meal minestone.
There are a few versions of the soup, but the basic recipe of manestra includes potatoes, carrots, celery, peas and corn.
Novigradske Kapešante
Novigradske Kapesante, otherwise known as the Saint Jacuqes, or the Novigradske scallops – are the traditional sea scallops, native to the Croatian city of Novigrad. Novigrad scallops are considered to be one of the most delicious mollusks in the world: all because sea water and the fresh river water mix up exactly at the place where they grow.
This dish is simply excellent with the homemade bread and the local virgin olive oil.
Every year during the summer months, Novigrad hosts a festival of gourmet foods, known as Kapešante from Novigrad, dedicated to this unique scallop.
Dalmatia
Dalmatinska pašticada
Pasticada – one of the most unique authentic Dalmatian meals.
Dalmatinska pasticada is a dish, made from the long-stewed beef in the special sauce, which consists of a curious combination of the fried bacon, onion, parsley, nutmeg, prune and the sweet dessert wine Prosek.
This fragrant meal is usually served with the homemade pasta or dumplings on the side.
Peka
“Isppod peke” is another one of the delicacies from the Dalmatian Croatia – another must-try while exploring the country.
Peka is traditionally made with veal, mutton or octopus meats. The meats and vegetables are placed into the wide cast-iron lidded dish, which is then placed into the scorching-hot coals, in the opened oven. It is then left to roast for a few hours, until the meat becomes soft and juicy.
Soparnik
Soparnik is a traditional spinach pita, originating from the Dalmatia – Croatian seaside region.
Soparnik is a unique combination of very simple ingredients that can be found in every house – the flour, spinach, garlic, onion and olive oil. Soparnik is perfectly compatible with red wine.
Poljicki soparnik from a little place called Poljica, hidden between the cities of Split and Omis, is included into the non-material cultural heritage list of Croatia.
Komiška pogača
Komiška polagaca is a delicacy originating from the Komizi Island in the Dalmatian region.
Komiška pogaca is a truly seaside meal: the freshly baked homemade bread with the filling of salted fish, tomatoes and onions.
Crni rižot / Black risotto
The black risotto – a verily mediterranean dish, extremely popular in the Dalmatian region.
A delicious black risotto made with the cuttlefish and its ink, highlighted with a dash of the grated parmesan, definitely won’t leave you disappointed.
Red wine would be an excellent addition to the dish.
Slavonia – Northern Croatia
Čobanac
Cobanac, or the shepherd’s ragu – is a traditional meal from the eastern Croatian region, an absolute must-try.
It is a delicate meat ragu made with the addition of the paprica, which is normally prepared in the cauldron, on the open fire.
Čvarci
If you enjoy unusual beer snacks, you absolutely must try the Slavonian cvarci. Cvarci are dry salted pig snacks; sometimes, they also have onion or garlic added to them.
Kulen
Kulen is a notorious spicy red-pepper sausage.
Kulen is prepared with the meat with low fat content; it has a pleasant garlic and red paprika aroma that gives the sausage its colour and flavour.
Kulen sausage is also included into the list of the non-material cultural heritage of Croatia.
Fiš Paprikaš
Fis paprikas is a rich-flavoured fish ragu, popular in the Slavonian region of Croatia.
Paprikas is prepared with the local river fish exclusively, with the addition of the wine, garlic and pepper, for the spiciness and the “kick”.
Have a nice meal, everybody!