Influenced by the flavors of Continental Europe as well as the Mediterranean, Croatian food is hearty and rustic. With its wide range of traditional dishes, Croatia itself is a destination for health fanatics and comfort eaters alike, as well as the ideal destination for those who love seafood. Keep reading to find out which Croatian dishes prove that this cuisine is to die for.

Brodet: Fresh Seafood Stew

If you visit Croatia, you’ll be tempted with the smell of the crispy pastries known as burek wafting from local bakeries. This is one of the most irresistible street foods in Croatia, but many of the gems of the local cuisine are served in restaurants and homes throughout the country. Enter brodet, the famed seafood stew that will convert even those who don’t love fish.

Brodet is made using lots of different fish, from eel to flathead to trout. The head of the fish is often included as it gives the most flavor. The stew is flavored with olive oil, lemon, onion, white wine, and seafood stock, while tomato is optional. Most often, this heavenly concoction is served with polenta.

Cabbage Rolls: The Ultimate Comfort Food

When it comes to Croatian comfort food, you can’t go past cabbage rolls. These warm and soothing parcels of goodness are typically made with pickled cabbage leaves which are prepared up to six weeks in advance. They are filled with meat and spices and then cooked in sauce. Known as sarma in Croatia, cabbage rolls are often served with mashed potatoes.

Croatian enjoys influences from the Mediterranean as well as Continental influences. Cabbage rolls, which also often feature sauerkraut, rice, and speck, reflect eastern traditions that have touched Croatia’s culinary scene. It is widely believed that sarma actually originated in Turkey before making its way to Eastern Europe.

Barbecued Rack Of Lamb: The Highlight Of Croatia’s Mediterranean Influence

A delicious barbecued rack of lamb is a staple at Croatian festivities and definitely reflects the Mediterranean roots of the country’s cuisine. The smokey flavor of the meat is achieved through barbecuing the lamb, which is studded with rosemary and rubbed with salt. These simple flavors are then typically enhanced when the dish is served with a bottle of red wine.

Lamb from the Croatian islands of Cres and Pag is renowned around the world for being high-quality. Along with cooking lamb on the barbecue or the spit, Croatians also cook lamb inside a metal dish with a lid which is then cooked over an open fireplace with coals placed on top of the lid. This is known as peka and is a local culinary tradition.

Soparnik: Dalmatian Vegetarian Pie

Croatian cuisine can be heavy on seafood and meat. But if you prefer vegetables, then the one traditional Croatian dish you have to try is the Dalmatian vegetarian pie known as soparnik. Historically related to Italian pizza, soparnik is traditionally willed with Swiss chard, called blitva in Croatia. When making this dish at home, some cooks use kale instead.

The Swiss chard is combined with garlic, onions, and parsley for flavor. It is often drizzled with olive oil and cut into diamond shapes for serving. Delicious!

Fritule: The Croatian Answer To Donuts

You might not find American-style donuts in Croatia, but you will find something better: fritule. Pastries, which are made up and down the Adriatic coast, fritule are flavored with different ingredients depending on what region you’re in. Some make them with rum while others use orange and lemon rind.

Visit Croatia and you’ll be able to eat fritules at any time of the year. Traditionally, though, they were served on holidays or feast days. These days, they make a delectable breakfast dish or even serve as a great snack and are one of the top 10 foods to try in Croatia.