When foreign tourists, especially those from overseas, are asked why they decided to take their vacation in Croatia, a common response is: “We heard about its enchanting beauty and excellent food.”
The food is indeed excellent, as we all know. And one of the most common questions in our country is: “What’s for lunch today?”
What’s for lunch today?
Croats love to eat, but not just anything. We’re genuine gourmets. Our national cuisine developed under a variety of influences from our neighbors over the course of history, and there are in fact few countries that can boast of such diverse flavors and dishes.
But what do generations of Croats, at home or abroad, and Millennials have in common, what attracts people and brings them together are the flavors of childhood, some virtually forgotten dishes which are reprised and are still being refined through numerous culinary and traditional events.
Old Recipes from Dugo Selo
“Old Recipes from Dugo Selo” is just one such traditional, culinary-cultural-entertainment event which, under the tagline “Where Tradition Meets Modernity,” will once more be held in the town center, in Kolodvorska street (which will be closed to vehicular traffic for the occasion) on 17-18 September 2022.
The Kotlowina Show
All visitors can expect an abundance of local traditional foods, a multitude of culinary workshops led by genuine experts, the Kotlowina Show, a competition to make the best kotlovina (meat and vegetables alternately roasted and braised on a large iron plate), and Goose, For Example – a competition to prepare the finest Martinmas meal, presentations of local artisans and family farms, traditional sports and numerous games and entertainment for children, prize contests for visitors…
A unique grandmother’s enamel platter
Recalling the Dugo Selo industrial tradition, we will open an exhibition dedicated to the Gorica enamelware factory, and all visitors will be able to sample food from a unique grandmother’s enamel platter made specifically for this event as a sort of souvenir.
This year we are also being joined by some very valued guests, Mr. Andrea Biggi, the Chief of Mission, and members of his staff from the Australian Embassy in Croatia, to mark the 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They will present some traditional Australian specialities, and the youngest visitors will have the opportunity to play ‘Aussie rules’ football.
We will also be joined by well-known blacksmiths and master peka (baking lid) makers from Vareš (Bosnia and Herzegovina), the guardians of the smithing tradition and makers of the largest peka (for 20 kg of meat) which – while revealing a few secrets for the preparation of a genuine peka meal – they will put it to use for all festival visitors.
And for the youngest
For the youngest visitors, the Preporod Culture and Arts Association and the Toy Festival are organizing traditional games and contests, and they have also prepared many workshops (“From Straw to Scarecrows”, “From Cooking Spoons to Toys,” “Little Chefs,” “Let’s Decorate Martinmas Cookies”, etc.)
And as usual in Croatia, not one event is complete without an extensive programme of music.
The croatia2go crew will also try its hand at preparing kotlovina – join us in Dugo Selo on 17 September on social media as well.
