If you are a true foodie, you have to try peka!

The food that joins every top list about Croatian food is undoubtedly – peka. Peka is better than just food – it is a way to prepare food. To prepare it you need a dome or bell-shaped terracotta or steel lid that you heat and burning wood below it. Then you place the food you wish to cook in a round tray underneath the peka and put embers on top of the peka itself which then cooks your food. The best part? You can cook almost anything. You can go traditional way and prepare the classical octopus or veal with potatoes and vegetables or be creative and make up your own recipe. The two most important ingredients are patience, because the process takes a few hours, and love!

Oh-so Dalmatian, figs are enjoyed in many ways in Zadar

Oh-so Dalmatian, figs are enjoyed in many ways in Zadar. Fresh off the tree, dried for eating all year-round, they are made into tarts and also into delicious spreadable jams.

One such place to enjoy figs is at the ecological family farm Sinjorina Smokva. Founded in 2004, they have fruit orchards that are spread over 3 hectares, and they make jams with just one ingredient - fruit.

The fig jam made here is well regarded as a local favorite and is 100% organic. Located in Damjanić-Babac in Poljica, they make the jams using a traditional Dalmatian recipe.

Croatia is famous for its fish and Kali for its fishermen. 

Many islands in Croatia have a long history of fishing thanks to the rich sea life of the Adriatic Sea. It is a traditional job passed from generation to generation on the Island of Ugljan as well. But the Village of Kali tells a different story. Although the neighbourhood of Kali is not known for fishing grounds, their fishermen became famous around the world. This is thanks to fishing blue fish in the Srednji kanal and on the open sea of the north Adriatic. They innovated the equipment with modern techniques such as using the first “tunara” – a special fishing net. They specialized in fishing tuna and are extremely popular on the Japanese market. To keep the tradition alive, Kali fishermen nights where you can taste the history are organized every year!

Although the seaside is known for its seafood specialities, you don’t want to miss out on this traditional meat titbit!

Šokol is the traditional dried meat sausage made from high quality pork meat, salt and spices. But what gives it its special recognizable taste is the particular aromatic wind that blows from the north - bura. The meat is first placed in sea salt for several days, then marinated in boiled red wine and sprinkled with various spices. The rest is left to the effects of smoke and bura, as well as a secret ingredient only locals pass from generation to generation without a written trace. Every family has its way of doing the šokol and this is why the best way to see and taste the differences is at Nin’s Šokol Festival which has been taking place in July since 2003. See how many you can try!

It tastes even better when you drink it here

Nurtured orchards and shrubs of the area are generous with prime pears, plums, peaches, oranges, cherries, blueberries, figs and carob, so their fruit is being used in well-known and valued drinks. However, the famed Marasca sour cherry, first used for brandies in the 16th century by the local Dominicans, is the most beloved fruit of all and a base for Maraschino, "the king of liqueurs" exported to almost every country in the world! But it tastes even better when you drink it here.
Destilerija Mashtel is the perfect place to stop if you enjoy spirits! Here you can try an assortment of locally made liqueurs and brandies in Zaton (close to Nin).