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Look no further if you're curious about what you could find on a traditional Dalmatian plate. Here are some authentic, tasty dishes you should try while staying in your luxury villa in Dalmatia!
1. Dalmatinska Pašticada on Korcula
Pašticada is the star of the local cuisine in Dalmatia. It is made of a special piece of beef meat called the fricando. First, you stuff the meat with bacon and onions. Then you marinade it in vinegar and spices for at least a day. Then you cook it with root vegetables. Finally, slice the meat and pour it with the sauce after it's done. The sauce is made by pureeing the vegetables and soup in which the meat was cooked. It is traditionally served with homemade gnocchi.
Photo from www.facebook.com/restoranbelin
Where to eat the best Pašticada in Croatia?
One of the best pašticadas in Croatia can be found on the island of Korcula in the Tavern Belin in Zrnovo.
Where to stay during your gastro experience on Korcula? Feel free to check our Villas on Korcula for luxury accommodation.
2. Brudet on Hvar island
Brudet is true Dalmatian soul food. It is a fish stew made with a different kind of seafood. Fish is left with the bone and cut into large pieces. First, it is fried with onions. Then it is cooked in a large cooking pan with Mediterranean spices like rosemary and parsley and in tomato sauce and wine. The secret of good brodetto is not to stir it but to swirl the whole pot. It is best served with polenta.
Credit to commons.wikimedia.org
Where is the best brudet in Croatia? The best brudet on Hvar Island is in the Gariful restaurant.
Where to stay on the island of Hvar? Please check our exquisite Villas on Hvar.
3. Lamb on a spit from Brac island
Janjetina s ražnja is a meat dish that is a specialty in Dalmatia. The whole lamb is roasted on an open fire and the roasting process is a bit specific. First, the lamb is seasoned with sea salt. Then place it on a spit (stick) and roast it on an open fire by slowly turning it around for hours.
Sounds a bit barbaric? Well, it is, but the result is super tasty lamb meat best served with young onions and homemade bread.
Photo from Restaurant Olive ex Vanjaka, Trogir
Where to eat the best spit-roasted lamb? Best on Brac in Tavern Kopacina Brac.
Where to stay on Brac during your vacation? Look at the large selection of our Brac villas.
4. Black Risotto in Trogir
Black risotto (crni rizot) is a special type of rice dish made with black squid ink. You make it similar to regular risotto. First, fry the onions with different kinds of seafood. Squid, cuttlefish, mussels, and other kinds of shellfish are used. After it's cooked in white wine and near the end, you put squid ink inside that gives the risotto its black color. It is really tasty the only thing you need to check your teeth afterward because probably they will turn black from the risotto.
Where can you have the best black risotto in Croatia? Our recommendation is Restaurant Olive - ex Vanjaka in Trogir.
If you need luxury accommodation during your gastro vacation in Trogir, feel free to browse through our villas in Trogir area.
5. Baked octopus from Vodice
Octopus (Hobotnica pod pekom) is cooked in its own juices in a pot with potatoes. Octopus' color turns potatoes red during the cooking process. What is specific about this one-pot meal is that you cook it on a fireplace and under the lid (in Croatian it is called peka) and the lid is covered with hot embers. Olive oil is used for moisture.
Octopus under the lid
Where can you taste the best Octopus under the lid? The best is in Vodice in Konoba Cesarica.
You can also stay nearby in Villa Red Hacienda near Vodice.
6. Fritule in Split
Fritule are small, sweet, and round doughnuts. They were invented as festivity desserts in Croatia and are usually made at Christmas and carnival time.
The ingredients are similar to doughnuts except that you usually add raisins, yogurt, grated apples, citrus flavor, and brandy to fritule. Brandy is essential because it makes them fluffy and oil-free which is important as they are fried in deep oil. They are served with powdered sugar.
Photo from commons.wikimedia.org
Where can you buy the best fritule dessert in Croatia? We recommend fritule on Split promenade called the Riva.
While in Split, we recommend you to stay in our luxurious Split villas.
7. Rozata from Dubrovnik
This is the dessert invented in Dubrovnik. Rozata is a pudding made with milk, eggs, and sugar. It is additionally flavored with a local liqueur called Rozalin. It is baked in a dish that is covered with caramel and the result is delicious pudding with caramel topping.
Where is the best rozata in Croatia? Rozata Proto Fish restaurant in Dubrovnik is just one place where you can taste excellent rozata.
Photo from www.facebook.com/ProtoFishRestaurantDubrovnik
If you are looking for a place to stay, please check our Villas in Dubrovnik.
Final Thoughts
So, we just listed our 7 best authentic and traditional meals in Dalmatia. Of course, there are many more.
If you know any, feel free to share them with us. Visit the recommended restaurants, taste these authentic meals, and send us your reviews. Stay in one of our villas in Dalmatia, taste the Dalmatian soul food, and enjoy!
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