Slanina – Tocino de cerdo curado (tocino croata)
Home Slanina is the Croatian word for a slab of salt-cured pork fat – essentially old-world bacon. In much of Eastern Europe it’s known as salo, and in Croatia slanina is a beloved staple. This lightly smoked, savory fatback can be sliced thinly and eaten raw, or fried until crisp. It is a foundational flavor […]
Ombolo – Lomo de cerdo curado de Istria
Home Ombolo is a classic cured pork loin from Croatia’s Istria peninsula, a region often called the “Tuscan of Croatia.” This lean, tender cut is transformed through a centuries-old process of salting, spicing, and air-drying. Once cured, Ombolo has a rich but refined flavor that combines savory pork with subtle aromatic notes of bay leaf […]
Ravioles rellenos de almendras (ravioles dálmatas)
Home In the seaside regions of Dalmatia, rafioli are a beloved symbol of celebration. Despite the Italian-sounding name, they are very Croatian: sweet, almond-filled “ravioli” that are almost always on the table at weddings, baptisms, and Christmas feasts. Legend says the first rafioli were baked by a lady named Rafioli imprisoned in Trogir’s fortress; she […]
Pan del Obispo (Pan de nueces festivo croata)
Home When the winter holidays arrive along the Adriatic coast and inland villages, Croatian families often celebrate with Bishop’s Bread (biskupov kruh), a dense, cake-like loaf studded with fruits and nuts. Despite the name, this bread is more like a fruitcake than ordinary bread. Its origin is unclear—some call it “broken glass bread” or “stained […]
Mermeladas y compotas caseras
Home In Croatia, preserving the harvest for winter is a cherished tradition. Generations of homemakers would spend late summer days turning ripe fruits into džem (jam) and kompot (stewed fruit), filling rows of glass jars with vibrant preserves. Common flavors include plum, apricot, cherry, fig, and pear. When winter’s short days arrive, these sweet jars […]
Tarta de queso campesina (tarta de queso croata)
Home A Croatian farmer’s cheese cake is a tender, custard-like dessert baked with rich quark or cottage cheese. Unlike the dense American-style cheesecake, this version is lighter and often crustless. In villages and small towns it is known simply as kolač sa sirom (cake with cheese) or sirnica, reflecting its main ingredient. The cake dates […]
Gulash de conejo (estofado de conejo de Istria)
Home Rabbit goulash is a comforting rustic stew from Istria, Croatia’s sunlit peninsula known for its game meat traditions. In Istrian kitchens and rural farmhouses, wild or farmed rabbit is often used in slow-cooked stews. This dish celebrates local flavors: strips of rabbit simmer with ribbons of pancetta (cured bacon), sweet vegetables, and aromatic herbs. […]
Manistra na Pome (Pasta dálmata con salsa de tomate)
Home Manistra na pome literally means “pasta in tomatoes” in the local dialect, and it truly epitomizes the taste of summer along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. This humble dish is simply everyday pasta dressed in a bright, fragrant tomato sauce. But what it lacks in fuss it more than makes up for in flavor and nostalgia. […]
Ñoquis (Njoki) – Empanadillas de patata dálmatas
Home Soft, pillowy gnocchi – known as njoki in Croatian – are a beloved accompaniment to hearty stews and sauces across Dalmatia. These potato dumplings have a simple origin: mashed potatoes combined with flour and egg, shaped into bite-sized pillows. The beauty lies in their lightness and versatility. In Dalmatia, njoki often appear at Sunday […]
