What’s eaten in different Croatian regions on Christmas Day

by croatiaweek
December 25, 2024
in Food & Wine

(Photo: Private album)

CHRISTMAS DAY is here, and across Croatia, tables are laden with a variety of delicacies, primarily meat dishes ranging from turkey to roast suckling pig, alongside the ever-present French salad and an assortment of cakes, both dry and creamy.

However, when it comes to Christmas lunch, every region of Croatia follows its own traditions.

Index Food looks a what you might find on the festive table in each region today.

Slavonia

Starting in Slavonia, the most common dish on Christmas Eve is fiš paprikaš (a spicy fish stew).

Fiš paprikaš (Photo: Vedran Bošković)

On Christmas Day, roast suckling pig is often the star of the table, although chicken, beef, and turkey are also popular.

For dessert, traditional Slavonian treats like orahnjača (walnut roll), makovnjača (poppy seed roll), and šape (paw-shaped biscuits) are served.

Makovnjača (Photo: Cro Chef/Zagreb Tourist Board)

Central Croatia

In central Croatia, turkey with mlinci (a type of flatbread) is the most popular Christmas dish, though roast suckling pig or roast chicken also make appearances.

Turkey with mlinci

French salad is a must-have side dish, while in northern Croatia, roast duck with mlinci is often preferred over turkey.

Some families opt for sarma (cabbage rolls), and the dessert table is an array of options, including orahnjača, makovnjača, linzer cookies, vanilla crescents, and mađarica (layered chocolate slice).

French salad Image by timolina on Freepik

Istria and Kvarner

In Istria and Kvarner, Christmas Eve is marked by fish soup and meatless pasta dishes.

For Christmas Day, turkey, veal, or roast suckling pig are common choices. Popular desserts include kroštule (fried pastries) and čupavci (lamingtons). A local favourite is biskupski kruh, a fruitcake known as stollen.

Kroštule (Photo: Blazej Pieczynski/CC BY-SA 2.0)

Lika

In Lika, Christmas dinner typically features roast suckling pig with cabbage and potatoes or lamb with roasted potato halves.

(Photo: Private album)

Like in central Croatia, sarma is a common dish. For dessert, apple and cheese strudels, along with orahnjača and makovnjača, are staples.

A savoury dish often prepared here is lička masnica, a traditional cheese-filled pastry.

Best Sarma in Zagreb, a delicious dish consisting of stuffed rolled cabbage leaves, is widely enjoyed during winter in Croatia and is considered one of the most popular choices.

Sarma (Photo: CroChef/Zagreb Tourist Board)

Dalmatia

In Dalmatia, Christmas Eve centres around bakalar (dried cod stew), while Christmas Day showcases turkey or pašticada (beef braised in a sauce of onions, carrots, prunes, sweet dessert wine, red wine, and vinegar).