Sample the Unusual Cuisine of Croatia

Sampling the local food and drink is usually one of the highlights of any holiday to a different country. In the context of a walking holiday - where one of the main purposes of participants may be to live 'like a local' as much as possible - this aspect acquires even more importance and prominence than usual. People exploring an area on foot and seeking to immerse themselves in the culture and lifestyle will usually welcome any chance to sample local cuisine, and a particularly flavourful dish can become one of the most memorable experiences of their trip.

The Balkan Cuisine

In this regard, those on a holiday walking in Croatia are in luck. Balkanic food is famously savoury, and there are quite a few delicacies, both local and imported from neighbouring countries, for budding gastronomy experts to discover while exploring this interesting Eastern European nation.

Croatian cuisine is a delightful mix of influences, blending traditional flavours with specialties imported from neighbouring countries like Turkey. As with most other countries, the nature of the cuisine also changes according to geographical positioning, with different parts of the country picking up different influences and boasting different region-specific dishes. Travellers walking in Croatia will therefore be able to sample a variety of dishes and culinary influences during their stay.

Two good examples of what Croatian cuisine has to offer are 'ajvar', a variably spicy vegetable relish, and 'brodet', a fish stew seasoned with onion and garlic. Fans of sauces will also want to try 'buzara', a tomato sauce with breadcrumbs perfect for accompanying fish and seafood dishes. For dessert, 'paski sir' cheese or the native version of the flan pudding, called 'rozata', are both excellent choices.

As noted, aside from these endogenous specialties, travellers walking in Croatia can also expect to come across dishes 'imported' from neighbouring countries and given a local spin. These include 'cevapcici', a variety of meatballs originally introduced by the Ottoman Empire, and 'burek', a pasty popular all across the Balkans. When we say 'local spin', however, do not think these dishes get the local equivalent of what happens to a kebab or pizza in Britain - these delicacies are still treated respectfully and remain as flavourful as the real deal.

The last thing food enthusiasts on a holiday walking in Croatia might appreciate knowing are some of the specific terms used in the field. For instance: 'ispod' refers to a slow-cooking method inside a domed pot - called a 'peka'; and 'na zaru' designates a way of grilling, not dissimilar to barbecuing.

With this knowledge in hand, and an idea of what dishes to seek out, gastronomy enthusiasts are sure to have the best possible experience on the course of their Croatian walking holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Join us on a holiday walking in Croatia to the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices. We offer over 140 guided group walking holidays in over 60 different countries.