The Croatian association in Australia preserving heritage with recipes
- by croatiaweek
- in Food & Wine
(Photo: Julie Marinovic)
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Croatian Community Centre in Geelong buzzed with excitement as the Croatian Cultural Association (CCA) hosted its traditional Winter Cooking Class.
The Croatian Cultural Association CAS (CCA), established in 2004, has a vision of preserving and honouring Croatian heritage within the broader community, celebrating the customs, cuisine, and traditions passed down by great-grandmothers, grandmothers, and mothers who kept these practices alive even in foreign lands.
The highlight of the evening was the cooking presentation by Mrs. Marija Ćosić, who delighted attendees with her demonstration of “kiseli kupus s krpicama i kranjskim kobasicama” (sauerkraut with pasta and kranjske sausages).
(Photo: Julie Marinovic)
Mrs. Ćosić shared invaluable tips and tricks to perfect the dish, ensuring that all generations could benefit from her expertise.
(Photo: Julie Marinovic)
Her efforts were greatly appreciated by the Association, and they extended their heartfelt thanks for her dedication and hard work, both in preparation and during the event.
(Photo: Julie Marinovic)
Katica Perinac, the President of the Association, also contributed to the evening by presenting baked pancakes with cheese.
(Photo: Julie Marinovic)
She shared touching memories of her time spent in the kitchen with her late mother, emphasising how her mother inspired her to cherish and preserve their culinary traditions.
(Photo: Julie Marinovic)
Both dishes were thoroughly enjoyed by attendees from the Croatian and wider communities.
Recipes for both dishes were provided in Croatian and English to all attendees. This bilingual approach ensures that the rich culinary traditions can be appreciated and recreated by a diverse audience.
The success of the event was made possible by the dedicated volunteers who assisted in the kitchen, served the food, and helped with cleaning up.
(Photo: Julie Marinovic)
Special thanks were given to Michael and Ivan for their reliable support in setting up and packing up, and to Mrs. Julie Marinović, the in-house photographer, who captured the evening’s special moments and also helped serve the dishes.
Celebrating 20 years of cultural preservation
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Croatian Cultural Association of Geelong. Over the years, the Association has organized numerous food festivals, fundraising events, and other special occasions, all aimed at preserving Croatian culture and traditions.
A significant achievement stemming from these efforts is the bilingual cookbook My Mother’s Kitchen / Kuhinja moje majke, launched in 2019. This cookbook, featuring 169 recipes and 495 photos, is a masterpiece designed by renowned Australian-Croatian artist Charles Billić, and stands as a testament to the Association’s dedication to cultural preservation.
The Croatian Cultural Association of Geelong continues to make significant contributions to the community, and their events, such as the Winter Cooking Class, are a testament to their unwavering commitment to celebrating and preserving Croatian heritage.
For more information about the Association, the book, and their events, visit croatianculturalassociation.org.
Finally, a big thank you goes to the Croatian Community Centre of Geelong for their unwavering support of the CCA’s events. Their continuous support is deeply appreciated by the Association and the wider community.
