Croatia is Europe's new food mecca
Croatia is a hidden gem but is gaining ground as one of Europe's new culinary destinations. The best time to enjoy its delicacies is now in the fall – a time of harvest and festivals!
This year, The Telegraph named Croatia one of the world's 15 best destinations for foodies. At this year's prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards, Croatia won three platinum and sixteen gold awards. At the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition in New York, Croatia came in third place. Twelve Michelin-starred restaurants boast Michelin stars.
The pure flavors of the ingredients offer culinary heights even in simple restaurants. Everything is fresh, locally and naturally produced. The fruits and vegetables have the sweetness of the sun and the dishes are adapted to the season. The gastronomic taste palette also offers regional differences with traditions and delicacies ranging from Central Europe to the Mediterranean.
The Istrian region is a gourmet's stronghold. Here, Malvasia and Teran are toasted, which can be enjoyed along the Istrian Wine Route, with dishes made with truffles. The hunt for forest gold continues in the forests around Motovun until November. The Dalmatian region boasts award-winning olive oil, the best prosciutto, fresh Adriatic fish, and on the Pelješac peninsula, the Pošip grape is grown to make a golden wine that washes down the local oysters - the best in Croatia. Those who want to indulge in the country's best shrimp should head to the Kvarner Gulf. No lamb has such a good saltiness as on the island of Pag, where the famous sheep's cheese also originates. Graševina, a Riesling grape, is grown in the fertile and rolling landscape of Slavonia. Here, paprika also adds color to the flavorful kulen-salami and to fish dishes such as fiš-paprikaš.
Here are some festivals to watch for foodies: •Truffle Days in Livade, Istria weekends 1/10-30/10.
Truffle enthusiasts taste truffle dishes, etc. Truffle events take place in several places in Istria.
•Marunada Chestnut Festival in Lovran, Kvarner on 7/10-9/10.
Here you will have the opportunity to try chestnuts and chestnut delicacies such as cakes and liqueur. The Guardian has listed the festival as one of Europe's top ten festivals.
•Festival Taste the Mediterranean in Split, Dalmatia on 4-9/10.
The festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, brings together experts and enthusiasts in gastronomy, sustainable tourism, agriculture, foodies, etc. Here, Mediterranean cuisine is highlighted in gastronomy and among raw materials through lectures, workshops, wine tastings, etc.
• Good Food Festivall in Dubrovnik, Dalmatia on 10-16/10.
This year's program includes a restaurant week with festival menus, wine tasting, gastro tours, beer evenings, workshops, etc.
According to the press release.
