クーレン（スラヴォニアのスパイシーソーセージ）
Home In the fertile plains of eastern Croatia, where the Danube and Drava rivers carve through oak forests and golden wheat fields, a centuries-old tradition of pork curing reaches its apex in a single, magnificent preparation: kulen. This spicy dry sausage, pronounced “KOO-len,” represents far more than a preserved meat product. It stands as a defining emblem of Slavonian identity, a marker of family heritage, and one of the most technically demanding cured sausages in all of European charcuterie. The origins of kulen trace back several hundred years, rooted in the practical necessity of preserving pork through the long winter months. Slavonian farmers, blessed with excellent swine raised on acorns […]
鹿肉のロースト「伯爵のやり方」
Home The slow-roasted leg of venison prepared “the Count’s Way” stands as an enduring emblem of Croatia’s noble game cuisine. Handpicked herbs, garlic and juniper soften the wild gaminess of the deer and season the meat deeply. Often the leg is brined or marinated in red wine and spices for many hours, then roasted slowly under gentle heat. Aromatic winter vegetables and ribbons of bacon add depth as the meat braises tenderly under foil. The result is a lavish roast with a caramelized exterior and meltingly tender meat bathed in an opulent red wine gravy. This dish traces its roots to grand hunting lodges and aristocratic tables, where freshly hunted […]
ゆで野菜 – シンプルなクロアチア風ゆで野菜
Home Povrće na lešo (meaning “vegetables in broth” or “boiled”) is the embodiment of simplicity in Croatian cooking. This humble dish comes from the Dalmatian coast and other regions, where fresh produce is plentiful and straightforward preparation is cherished. Essentially a plate of mixed vegetables cooked in seasoned water, it showcases each ingredient’s natural taste without heavy sauces or complex spice blends. The beauty of povrće na lešo lies in its restraint: carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and other vegetables are simmered just long enough to soften, then drained and dressed with nothing more than a drizzle of golden olive oil and a pinch of salt. This technique is beloved because […]
Đuveč（クロアチアの野菜キャセロール）
Home Đuveč (pronounced “duvetch”) is a classic Balkan vegetable bake, often described as a robust vegetable stew or casserole. Loved throughout Croatia, it celebrates seasonal produce by slowly cooking a mix of summer vegetables together. In rural tradition, Đuveč is made without meat, allowing the flavors of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and zucchini to meld into a rich, savory sauce. The dish is typically baked or simmered until the vegetables are tender and the rice or grain has absorbed all the juices. It can be served hot as a side or even as a vegetarian main. Some even liken Đuveč to ratatouille, or to a jambalaya or risotto when rice is […]
サタラシュ（クロアチアのペッパーとトマトのシチュー）
Home Sataraš is a beloved summer vegetable stew popular throughout Croatia and the Balkans. It is made with ripe tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and onions simmered together until meltingly tender. The result has a gentle, comforting sweetness reminiscent of Hungarian lecsó or Turkish menemen. For many Croatians, sataraš evokes memories of home cooking: simple ingredients slowly combining into a richly flavored sauce. It can be eaten on its own with crusty bread, served over polenta, or paired with grilled meat and eggs (a fried egg on top makes it a complete meal). This humble dish highlights how summertime vegetables can become a hearty, satisfying stew. In Bosnia and Herzegovina it’s […]
ムリンチ（クロアチアの焼きフラットブレッド）
Home Mlinci is a unique Croatian side dish of thin, oven-baked flatbread sheets that are torn into pieces and soaked in savory roast juices. It is a time-honored accompaniment to roast poultry (especially turkey or chicken) in Croatia. Traditionally, after carving a roast, the juices are poured over the broken mlinci so the bread soaks up all the rich flavor. This pasta-like bread can be traced back to medieval times; legend holds that Pauline monks in northern Croatia popularized roasting turkey with this flatbread in the 16th–17th centuries. Today mlinci is especially associated with festive family meals (for example, Christmas and Easter). Its simplicity – just flour, water, and a […]
ダルメシアンフィッシュスープ
Home Dalmatian fish soup is a warm, comforting broth from the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. It celebrates the bounty of the Adriatic Sea, combining fresh white-fleshed fish with aromatic vegetables in a clear, golden stock. This soulful soup is often enjoyed as the first course of a coastal meal, followed by the steamed fish it was cooked with. Its fragrance of garlic and parsley evokes an afternoon by the sea. Centuries ago it was humble fishermen’s fare; today it is cherished in Dalmatian kitchens and taverns. (For a long time, it was a meal of poor fishermen; now it’s a dish enjoyed by food lovers around the world.) The flavor […]
ズレヴァンカ – クロアチア北部のコーンミールケーキ
Home Zlevanka (also called zlijevka, zlevka or bazlamača) is a humble cornmeal cake deeply rooted in the traditions of northern Croatia. It comes from regions like Međimurje, Hrvatsko Zagorje and Podravina, and even parts of Slovenia. Once considered a simple “peasant” dish, zlevanka has become a nostalgic comfort food and even a beloved childhood dessert. The cake is made from coarse cornmeal (polenta) mixed into a wet batter of eggs, milk (or yogurt), and often cheese or cream. This unusual combination yields a dense, moist cake that looks plain on the outside but surprises with a rich, almost custardy interior. What might at first glance resemble a basic sponge becomes […]
ブチュニツァ（甘い） - クロアチアのカボチャチーズパイ
Home Bučnica is a traditional pastry from continental Croatia, especially popular in regions like Slavonia and Zagreb. Its name comes from buča, the Croatian word for pumpkin or squash. This dish is essentially a strudel or pie with a filling of grated summer squash or pumpkin blended with cottage cheese (skuta or quark) and eggs. In savory country kitchens, bučnica is often lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. For this sweeter variant, sugar and fragrant spices like vanilla or nutmeg are added, and it is often dusted with powdered sugar when served, turning it into a comforting dessert. The pastry itself can be made two ways: a delicate homemade pulled […]
クロアチアのクレセントロール（ヴァラジュディン・クリピチ）
Home Varaždinski klipići (pronounced kla-pee-chee) are legendary buttery crescent-shaped rolls named for the city of Varaždin in northern Croatia. Known as “Varaždin rolls,” this tender yeasted pastry is so special that it has Protected Geographic Indication status in Croatia. Klipići are made from an enriched dough of wheat flour, milk, oil, and fresh yeast. Unlike typical croissants, they are rolled from small balls of dough into elongated ovals (about 25 cm long), then coiled into their distinctive shape. A final egg wash and sprinkle of seeds – usually sesame or nigella – give them a golden crust. Traditionally enjoyed warm, Varaždin klipići have a soft, supple crumb and a slightly […]