Croatian recipes: How to make Cernik’s famous ćupteti

by croatiaweek
December 19, 2024
in Food & Wine

Cernički ćupteti (Photo: Borna Subota, EXE produkcija)

Original, delicious, and spicy little bites you simply can’t stop eating. These are Cernik ćupteti, a unique speciality made exclusively in Cernik in eastern Croatia and nowhere else.

These savoury traditional pastries have earned widespread fame for the Nova Gradiška region in Slavonia. If you weren’t aware, the municipality of Cernik is a neighbour to the town of Nova Gradiška.

They naturally complement one another, even sharing a joint slogan: “Leave the road, take the paths.” Together, they are now promoted as a single tourist destination.

One doesn’t go without the other—the experience is complete only when you visit the baroque centre of Nova Gradiška, continue your stroll through Cernik, and then venture further to the slopes of Psunj.

And while in Nova Gradiška, don’t miss the Slavonian Shop at its heart—it’s a treasure trove for food lovers, offering everything from kulen and ham to wine and sweets.

But let’s get back to ćupteti—this is, after all, their story.

Traditionally, these pastries were made during the pig-slaughtering season using dough and minced pork, specifically the mixture used to stuff sausages.

Cernički ćupteti (Photo: Borna Subota, EXE produkcija)

They were eaten casually, on the go, while work carried on from the early morning hours in cold temperatures. There’s even a legend tied to defiance: it’s said that ćupteti were created during Ottoman rule, deliberately filled with pork because the Turks’ faith forbade its consumption.

In today’s modern parlance, we could freely call them Slavonian finger food. They make an ideal snack for any party, but they’re equally perfect for pairing with a good film or TV series. Served with a glass of fine wine or craft beer—preferably from Slavonia—they’re a winning choice.

As is often the case, every master of ćupteti has their own little secret to make theirs stand out. However, there’s one thing they all agree on: it’s absolutely essential to include pork fat and wine in the dough. Without these, it’s just not the same.

It’s worth mentioning that the traditional preparation of Cernik ćupteti is listed in the Register of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Croatia.

Aren’t the festive holidays the perfect time to prepare this delightful Slavonian snack and impress your family and guests?

We’re sharing a recipe that’s come straight from Cernik, courtesy of the ćupteti expert Mirela Andrašević.

Recipe for Cernik ćupteti

Ingredients for the filling:

• 1 kg minced pork (preferably with a higher fat content)

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika

• ½ tablespoon hot paprika

• 2 garlic cloves

Ingredients for the dough:

• 1 kg flour

• 200 ml milk

• A small piece of yeast

• 200 ml melted pork fat

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 100 ml white wine

Method:

Prepare the filling by mixing all the ingredients together. Then knead the dough and roll it out to a thickness of 0.5 centimetres. Cut the dough into squares measuring 5×5 centimetres. Place a small amount of filling in the centre of each square and fold up the corners of the dough. Arrange them on a baking tray and bake at 200°C for approximately 40 minutes.