3
croatian Gastronomy
introduction
or thousands of years bc the tribal communities centred round
Vuèedol used an extremely precise calendar which enabled
them to engage effectively and successfully in agriculture.
On the island of Vis there are traces of grape vine which
have been cultivated from pre-Christian times, right up to
the present day.
The oldest coin to be found on the island of Hvar bears
on the reverse side a depiction of a bunch of grapes, and
on the obverse side the image of Homer – the poet who
extolled their virtues in verse.
Officers of ancient Rome gladly became gourmands once
they discovered the riches of the Cetina region bequeathed
to them by the gods: trout, river crabs, frogs, game and fertile
land. Instead of the usual temporary camp they created a
permanent settlement on the hills along the Cetina River.
A thousand years ago, top quality chefs, who were equally
expert in Oriental and Western cuisines, were a key element
of the crews aboard the ships of Dubrovnik which sailed
the Mediterranean and the oceans. From Istria to Konavle,
Croats have been safeguarding dozens of centuries-old olive
trees which still bear fruit to this day. Roman emperors
planted olive groves in Istria because they considered the
area as being the best for cultivation of superior olives.
Also, recipes from the Viennese court were being prepared
f
Each croatian
tourist rEGion is
a sourcE of hiGh
quality cuisinE,
rEGardlEss of
whEthEr thE
offErEd dish is
of polEnta madE
from whitE maizE
or a phEasant
patE flavourEd
with frEsh
istrian trufflEs.
Croatian
Gastronomy
invaluable significance; a high percentage of Croats fear that
Brussels bureaucracy would not look kindly upon the ancient
habits and customs practiced by thousands of small family
producers, the very ones who enable Croats to enjoy hundreds
of superb dishes prepared throughout our country.
Preservation and advancement of that wonderful heritage
of our forefathers is, for Croats and the numerous national
minoritie