Typical Dalmatian Christmas Plate

Christmas table arrangement

Christmas tree with shiny decorations and a bright star on top of it. Occasional present under it. Festive tablecloth with plates soon to be filled with the most delicious food there is. Joyous times surrounded by family and people you care about. It’s the image of Christmas most people want to experience. While specific dishes form only a part of Christmas traditions in Dalmatia, they do reflect just how special these moments are.

After all, a lot of the food served at Christmas is generally eaten only this time of year, which means it’s the type of food everyone looks forward to. Here are a few carefully prepared dishes that make family time at the table so much the better:

Favourite Christmas fish - cod

It takes certain effort and patience to prepare salt cod, since it has to be soaked overnight before cooking. Indeed, it represents a true Christmas delicacy often served on Christmas Eve. Recipes may vary greatly, so most people turn to the way their mums and grannies used to do it. Our chef Mario is no different, when he lets us in on his family secret of making the most mouthwatering cod brudet there is. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 kg cod
• 200 ml olive oil
• 150 gr onion
• 500 gr red onion
• 2kg potato
• 3 dcl white wine
• 100 gr parsley
• salt
• pepper

This is how it’s done, according to our chef:

Soak the cod in cold water overnight. Simmer it in fresh water until you can separate the flesh from the bone. Keep the water for later use. Remove the bones. Peel and slice the potatoes. Slice red onion, onion and parsley. Place a layer of red onion, onion and parsley into a pot, then a layer of cod and another of potato. Continue with layers until the pot is filled. Add water in which the cod was previously simmered, and the wine, too. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and olive oil. Cook over low heat about an hour and a half, occasionally turn the pot slightly to avoid scorching, but don’t stir. Cod brudet is best served with quality wine Graševina Krauthaker by Vinogorje Kutjevo.

Traditional Christmas cod dish in Dalmatia (Photo by Maja Danica Pecanic, HTZ)

Rhapsody of taste for meat lovers

Another favourite Dalmatian meal for special occasions is pašticada. Similarly to cod, it requires some time to have it ready and, again, it’s a type of dish that varies from village to village, even house to house, but the basics involve marinating a piece of good beef in red wine and herbs and then slowly let it cook the next day. Generally served with dumplings, pašticada gives all meat lovers the ultimate culinary experience.

Irresistible desserts

A much-liked Dalmatian dessert that is often prepared at Christmas and special occasions is rafioli - a crescent-shaped pastry filled with ground almonds. Finally, a festivity in Dalmatia would not be complete without fritule - small ball-shaped doughnut-like pastry no one can get enough of.

Traditional Christmas desserts in Dalmatia (Photo by Maja Danica Pecanic, HTZ)

Saying it with food

The great number of amazing Dalmatian dishes that are prepared with special care just like mothers and grannies did it in the past are essential elements of Christmas. The exquisite tastes of Christmas meals reflect the very special moments spent with loved ones around the festive holiday table. So, try out the recipe for the most delicious Dalmatian Christmas meal and remind your dearest of the great times in Zaton. Have a yummy (Christmas) meal!