Since I arrived in Croatia, people back home have been constantly asking me one question: are there any traditional foods in Croatia? The answer is a big Yes!
In case you didn’t know, Croatia is a Master of Culinary Arts. Croatian cuisine is a heterogeneous mix of various influences from Balkan, Mediterranean, and even Turkish and Austro-Hungarian cuisines. Nevertheless, it remains unique and tasty!
It offers typical specialties such as truffles (especially those from Istria), prosciutto, olive oil, and all kinds of fish. When it comes to drinks Croatia boasts the famous Rakija, a traditional fruit brandy (the perfect solution to warm your heart and body), and numerous types of wine. But today we’re going to talk about traditional Croatian dishes that are relatively unknown in other countries!
If you’re craving savory foods, we have for you :
1- Cheese Štrukli
If you’re in Zagreb, you absolutely must try Štrukli sa sirom, a specialty that got our seal of approval! This house special is served warm and looks like a bigger version of ravioli filled with fresh cheese. Štrukli sa sirom is such an exceptional dish that it has been added to the list of Croatian intangible cultural heritage.
Price : € 5/6
The more you know : there are different sorts of štrukli. They can also be stuffed with truffles, peppers or even apples and cinnamon! But for us, the traditional ones are still the best!
2- Čevapi
Čevapi are beef or lamb meat rolls, usually served with onions and ajvar, a relish made of roasted red pepper and eggplant with chili pepper and garlic.
Price : €5/9
Other variations : This dish can also be eaten as a “snack” in the form of a Čevapi sandwich (Čevapi u lepinji): grilled meat sausages served in homemade bread called Lepinja.
3- Sarma
You cannot leave Croatia without tasting Sarma! It is a Slavonian specialty consisting of cabbage leaves filled with rice and minced meat and boiled in broth with smoked meat (which gives them a unique taste).
Price : €6
4- Punjene paprike
If you’re a fan of bell peppers, you will love Punjene paprike! They are prepared in the same way as Sarma, only this time peppers are stuffed instead of cabbage leaves.
Price : €7/8
5- Peka
To eat Peka, you better head to Dalmatia, in South Croatia. Yes, this is another typical Croatian dish (don’t worry, we’ll move to desserts soon)! Peka is a dish of fish or meat (my favorite is the one with squid) cooked with vegetables and herbs in a special baking tray – a bowl covered with a wide bell (in fact, it is named after the dish!).
Price : €30 for 2 people
6- Crni rižot
This risotto is made with squid (which is abundant in the Adriatic Sea) and its extracted fresh ink, but what makes it special are the other ingredients: wine, local spices, and olive oil. The dish will send your taste buds into overdrive!
Price : €15/20
If you have a sweet tooth, we recommend :
7- Burek
Burek is a savory pastry (I know, I know, I promised you something sweet…). It’s made of puff pastry and can be filled with anything: cheese, spinach, meat, or potatoes; basically, it can be adapted to any taste.
Price : €2
8- Fritule
Spongy and light (well, more or less), Fritules are sweet, deep-fried balls of dough served with sugar, chocolate, or even berry syrup. They are quite small and therefore perfect if you want to have just a bite!
Price : €2
9- Orehnjača
Made of dough, sugar, cinnamon, and milk, the Orehnjača is filled with ground walnuts that will absolutely delight you. It is a specialty traditionally made for the holidays and you must try it.
Price : €2/3
10- Rapska torta
A specialty from Rab Island, this is a cake made with almonds, lemons, oranges, and maraschino liqueur. Its unique taste and spiral shape make it impossible to resist.
Price : €2/3
This is, of course, only a glimpse into the rich gastronomy of this beautiful country. As an intern at Terra Balka, I’m very excited to discover the Croatian culture for the next six months. The only problem now will be choosing my dish at the restaurant… But I’m pretty sure that no matter what I choose, it will always be delicious!
Now that I’ve whetted your appetite, it’s time to visit Croatia, right? So, on that note,
Dobar Tek! Bon Appétit! Enjoy your meal!
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