Food report from Croatia

18 years ago

Netla here. I couldn't resist checking in.

I have have been trying out the food every chance I get. Firstly I was shocked to find how expensive it is to eat out here - nearly as expensive as in Iceland, but not quite. I have been eating out once a day and then having smaller meals of local yogurt and fresh fruit.

Burek has been a disappointment every time I have tried it, possibly because I always end up with the cheese filling that really doesn't taste of anything. I have yet to come across meat or potato fillings.

Cevapi or cevapici are great. The Bosnians seem to spice them more than the Croatians do, but both versions are good. They are usually served inside a huge bun, with raw onions and a red bell pepper sauce on the side.

Raznjici (skewered kebabs) are great, both chicken and beef. The bread they serve with it is delicious, chewy and flavourful.

Tonight I tried a local seafood platter: fried squid, shrimp, mussels and fried scorpion-fish. It was the first time I have ever had squid that wasn't like leather to chew, and it was good, as were the rest. The scorpion-fish was oily and mild, and the mussels were very good. I hate the preserved variety, but these were fresh, which made all the difference.

Tomorrow night the school is having a reception and I think they will be serving local food. I will report back if there is anything interesting on the menu.

There is a pomegranate tree outside my window. Sadly the fruit are not ripe, or I would be eating them straight off the tree.

Bye for now,

Jo

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Comments (8)

jimster
18 years ago
Interesting report. Send another when you have the opportunity.

Enjoy your visit.

Jim
canarybird01
18 years ago
Jo....it sounds as though you've found a few good things to eat so you won't be starving. It will be interesting to hear what's on the menu at the school reception.

Come back and tell us and enjoy yourself!

SharonCb
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dedtired
18 years ago
Oh Jo, I'm not sure i could even find Croatia on a map. The kabobs sound wonderful to and the bread just the way I like it, although I haven't met too many kinds of bread that I don't like.

What a great adventure for you. Sounds like you are adventurous, too. I would not eat squid or scorpion fish. I am a suspicious eater.

Tell us more when you can -- and take pictures of the country to post.
annie1992
18 years ago
Oh, I agree, send more reports whenever you have time. Pictures would be good too, if that's possible!

Have fun and eat well....

Annie
msazadi
18 years ago
Jo, keep eating and I hope taking pictures. I am hoping to get us on a trip over there next year. I too would love to pick a pomegranate RIPE from a tree or bush.

Have a good time!
netla
Original Author
18 years ago
The food at the reception was canapes, made with local ingredients, ham, sausages, cheese and anchovies, both salted and pickled. Considering how many people claim to hate anchovies I was interested to see that the anchovy canapes disappeared the fastest of all. But what a place to have a reception: On top of one of the towers that form part of the old city walls, overlooking the harbour and the rooftops of the city, with live traditional music and a beautiful sunset in the background. I will post a link to my flickr page once I have organised the photos.

More local food I have tried:
Pljeskavica - thin patties of beef, filled with cheese. Very good.

I discovered a Bosnian restaurant here in Dubrovnik. It's a tiny place with only a handful of tables, but seems to be very popular. I had the house special, veal and mushrooms with feta and some other milder cheese, wrapped in filo and served with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Very good. I also had walnut baclava with whipped cream and lemon syrup, which was very good, but the syrup was sweet enough to make me quite thirsty. Funny enough, the place is called Taj Mahal.

I'll be flying home on Sunday, but I want to at least try octopus before I go home. Oh, and I have found a delicious Croatian cookbook in English that I am going to buy. I plan to post some recipes from it once I get home.

Than concludes my second food report.
annie1992
18 years ago
Netla, I'm going to look forward to those pictures. Baklava is always so sweet it makes me thirsty, so I'm not at all surprised that the version there is too.

annie
jimster
18 years ago
It's good of you to post reports during your busy schedule. I know that isn't easy. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Jim

Food report from Croatia

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Food report from Croatia

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