Nothing is more enjoyable when visiting a new destination than sampling all of the local fare, and when you arrive in Croatia, you’ll be unlocking a whole new world of gastronomic delights. Thanks to its tumultuous history, Croatian cooking is a mélange of tastes from France, Italy, Turkey and Greece, to name but just a few places, but despite the mixture of influences Croatian cuisine is unique in its very own way. Make sure you look out for these six foods on the menu during your trip for a true taste of traditional Croatian culture.

Pršut

In almost every Croatian restaurant, you won’t have to look too far down the menu to see a dish containing pršut, which is a dry-cured ham that is customarily made in the autumn and early winter. This is because the cold, salty Adriatic wind is believed to give pršut the best taste, but no matter what time of year you enjoy pršut, you’re sure to be reaching for a second serving.

Tartufi

If you’re lucky enough to get a taste of tartufi on holidays to Croatia, congratulations – you’ve tasted a quintessential Croatian food, that are so rare and tough to find that they can only be sought out by specially trained dogs! Yes, tartufi are a valuable commodity in Croatia, and although they aren’t pretty, these small black truffles have a distinctive flavour and fragrance that enhances any dish that they’re added to. You’re most likely to see pasta or rice dishes lightly sprinkled with tartufi shavings, and make sure you savour every bite.

Crni Rižot

The characteristic black colour of Crni Rižot, a delicious seafood risotto, comes from the black squid’s ink that is added during cooking. It may not sound like a particularly tempting addition, but Crni Rižot is one of the most popular dishes eaten all over Croatia – and 4.4 million Croatians can’t be wrong!

Brudet

If you’re staying in a coastal region of Croatia, you’ll inevitably be tucking into some fresh fish, and one of the best ways to enjoy the day’s catch is a dish of brudet – a stew comprising of layers of fish and tomato sauce inside a pot, that’s then slowly baked and not stirred for the entire duration of cooking. Enjoy brudet with a side of polenta, preferably on a restaurant’s rooftop terrace with a view of the fishing boats bobbing in the harbour.

Pašticada

Good things come to those who wait, and a whole day of preparation is needed to create Pašticada, a delectable dish made with beef that has been marinated in red wine, garlic and herbs for no less than 24 hours. The beef is then cooked for a few more hours, and plums, onions, nutmeg and cloves added to the blend, resulting in a dark and decadent beef sauce that’s perfect served with gnocchi.

Rožata

Of course, Croatians have a sweet tooth too, and a favourite post-dinner treat is a set caramel custard called rožata that is made with rose liqueur. This gives rožata a distinct aroma, although don’t be tempted to order one to share – you’ll want your bowl of Rožata all to yourself.

If this snapshot of Croatian cuisine has got your mouth watering, why not check out the fantastic choice of package breaks to Croatia that are available online? Hotels like the Lapad in Dubrovnik will put you at the heart of the city and close to all the finest restaurants, not to mention all the other fantastic attractions that Dubrovnik has to offer – in between your mealtimes, of course.

What traditional foods have you loved/hated whilst on holiday?