Five fantastic Croatian starters

Appetizers, starters, entrees, or food when you turn up as a visitors to someones home, call them what you like but when you are in Croatia you will be treated to a variety of delicious little appetizer treats.

Here are 5 of the best.

1. Pršut & Cheese

Pršut & Cheese (Photo credit: Croatian_Treasures/Instagram)

These are so good that they could almost be a main meal. The home-cured ham pršut, which is perhaps Croatia’s most famous hors d’oeuvre, is a must-try. Preparation is key to a good pršut. After washing, salting and flattening under rocks, the hams are then hung out to dry.

The unique taste and texture are thanks to the cold bura winds which sweep down to the coast which dries the ham. Croatia is also home to a number of award-winning cheeses and if you get a chance you need to try some Paški sir – which is cheese from the island of Pag.

2. Octopus Salad

Perfect for the summer months due to its light, refreshing nature. What makes this meal so good is the availability of fresh octopus in Croatia. Fresh out of the Adriatic, the octopus is boiled, chopped up into small pieces, and then tossed with a dressing (olive oil, garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper, lemon) and combined with finely chopped tomatoes, onions, and parsley. Finger-licking good.

3. Marinated Anchovies in Olive Oil

Marinated anchovies

A great starter with bread to open up the appetite. Anchovies, marinated in wine vinegar and lemon, go best with good quality olive oil, homemade bread a, d even sliced onions.

4. Pogača / Soparnik

Soparnik (Photo credit: Ivo Biocina / Source: CNTB)

Pogača is a type of baked bread, similar to focaccia. This type of Pogača filled with salty fish, tomatoes, and onion is a specialty on the island of Vis. Soparnik is a savoury pie with a filling of Swiss chard, or blitva as it is known in Croatia. It is the most famous specialty of the Dalmatian region Poljica, which lies between Split and Omiš.

5. Juha / Soup

Juha (Photo: Finirecepti.hr)

Juha is a great tasty starter to a meal. A number of restaurants will serve homemade soups with a number of different flavours. Not only tasty but also very hearty. Croatians love to start a meal with soup all year round.