Home-made fresh cottage cheese and freshly milled flour are traditional ingredients of the continental or the green Croatia, reminding me of my childhood. And in late June when the treetops of my grandmother’s garden cherry would swing its red fruits, it was time for quite an unusual strudel. Filling made of creamy cheese and sour cherries found itself in a perfect harmony rolled up in a fine, thin filo pastry. Yummy!
Italian word gnocchi can be derived from another Italian word “nocchio”, meaning a knot in a tree. In the Roman ages gnocchi were prepared from pastry with added eggs. Potato usage started in the 16th ct. when potato arrived to Europe. In Dalmatia gnocchi are served as a warm appetizer with different sauces, but also as a side-dish with meat meals.
Where I come from, Podravina region, this self-grown plant is often used in the spring. Its young sprouts and leaves are very nutritious. I therefore decided to use it in my preparation of noodles. The green star of this recipe is the nettle.
Spring is an ideal time for preparing meals with self-grown plants. Traditional meal made of square noodles, eggs, bacon and wild garlic is an ideal as a simple dish, but also an interesting idea if you are preparing small snacks for your guests.
Made of rows of thin pastry and filling, it can be sweet or savoury, simple or lavish. Even though in the past it was prepared of ingredients that people had in their pantries, such as fresh cheese or turnip, today’s version of Međimurska gibanica is a true feast for the palate. Layers of poppy seeds, cheese, walnuts and apple filling gives this dessert its playful flavour and juicyness. Thanks to Sandra Nedeljko for a delicious recipe of Međimurska gibanica.
This traditional milky bread used to be prepared without yeast and it was baked at the hearth, on fresh cabbage leaves, covered with a bell. It was brought to christenings, proposals, weddings, Christmas, Easter, other holidays, i.e. when one wanted to make a good showing. This fine bread goes ideally with delicacies on Easter table.
Winter meals were always prepared from ingredients that could be preserved for a longer period. This traditional combination continental Croatia of fermented turnip, beans and smoked meat is also no surprise. Satiating and tasty when you need warming up in winter after hard labour.
Sheep cheese in a dessert? Many would say – impossible. But inhabitants of the Krk island will tell you otherwise. This is exactly what they have combined in their cake called presnac. Crumbly filling with a note of citrus and salty flavour will thrill everyone at the end of each bite. It had the same effect on us, so we strongly recommend you try it.
Traditional winter delicacy is in front of you. Boiled leg of pork that melts in your mouth, sautéd sauerkraut with grated apples and an interesting side dish of potato dumplings. Next to mulled wine, this is a true winter comfort food.
Christmas holidays and New Year’s celebrations are unimaginable without them. Ideal with warm beverages, dessert wines or sweet liqueurs. Crispy and delicious, they can be stored for a very long time in tin boxes to preserve their crispiness. And you have a sweet snack available whenever you like. 😉