Manistra na Pome (Dalmatian Pasta with Tomato Sauce)

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. Each bite is a taste of warm, sun-ripened tomatoes and sweet onions, gently simmered in olive oil. In Dalmatian households, making manistra na pome is as much a ritual as it is a meal: grandmothers would sing folk songs about it (even the old town taverns hang signs proclaiming, “Volin te ka manistru na pome,” meaning “I love you like pasta with tomato sauce”). This unassuming comfort food is often a go-to family dinner or a beloved lunch, one that even young children ask for by name.

At its heart, manistra na pome honors simplicity. Dalmatian cooks typically use the best summer produce – ripe garden tomatoes that are peeled and stewed until jammy, then combined with onions sautéed to sweetness. Garlic and bay leaves may join the pot for extra aroma. In some versions, a dash of fragrant olive oil carries the sauce, perhaps with a pinch of sugar to balance acidity. The sauce is ready just as the pasta finishes cooking, ensuring the pasta absorbs every drop of flavor. A tangle of al dente spaghetti or penne tossed with this sauce is comfort on a plate: the pasta strands glisten with a light coating of luscious red sauce, and fresh chopped parsley or a shower of grated hard cheese is all it needs to be a satisfying meal.

This dish speaks to the bounty of the Dalmatian summer – when plump tomatoes are abundant, no one resists turning them into a simple sauce. It was once eaten by fishermen at sea or shepherds in the fields because it requires few ingredients and little fuel, yet it nourishes wholeheartedly. Today, it’s as common in seaside konobas (taverns) as in home kitchens, reminding Croatians and visitors alike of the Adriatic spirit: fresh, Mediterranean, and unfussy. Unlike heavier continental sauces, manistra na pome stays light and clean-tasting. Each spoonful carries the faint warmth of sun and the sweet-savory balance of tomato and onion. Paired with a glass of chilled rosé or light red wine, this pasta is an ode to Dalmatia’s simple joys – unpretentious, yet utterly delicious.