Traditional Croatian foods part three: Zagorje and Međimurje

The cuisine of the northern regions has been greatly influenced by Austro-Hungarian cuisine; among the dishes you'll find „ordinary“ folk dishes and those that were prepared in the castles of noble families in Zagorje. The restaurant offers include traditional dishes prepared by the original recipe with a modern twist. We named just a few dishes of Zagorje and Međimurje cuisine, but to discover their true diversity and richness, head to one of the restaurants and you won't be disappointed.

Bučnica (Pumpkin strudel) - strudel stuffed with filling made of grated pumpkin, cottage cheese and cream

Buncek (Ham hock) - the bottom part of pig's leg above the foot, dried on smoke, can be cooked or roasted and served with various side dishes, most often with sauerkraut

Gibanica - traditional cake made of pulled dough which can be stuffed with poppy seeds, ground walnuts, cheese, apples...

Hajdina kaša (Buckwheat porridge) - boiled buckwheat mash, served as a side dish or as a main course

Kalapajsani kalamper - traditional dish from Međimurje, potatoes braised with onion, seasoned with ground red paprika

Krpice sa zeljem (Pasta with cabbage)  - square-shaped pasta mixed with braised cabbage

_{Photo credit: Maja Danica Pečanić for Croatian National Tourist Board}

Krvavice (Blood sausages) - pork intestine stuffed with a mixture of blood, offal and spices

Međimurska gibanica - traditional cake made of layers of pulled dough and four different stuffings: nuts, cottage cheese, poppy seeds and apples

Meat from tiblica - traditional speciality of Međimurje region, pork meat is covered in lard in tiblica - a special wooden container

Pisana pečenica - traditional dish of the Zagorje region, pork tenderloin with prune filling

Poderane gaće ("Torn underwear") - this bizzarely named dessert is made of dough fried in deep oil and sprinkled with powdered sugar

Pretepena juha (“Pretepena” soup) - traditional dish of Međimurje region, thick meat soup with cream and vegetables

Prezvuršt - dried meat product, pork stomach stuffed with a mixture of pork head meat, delicate meat, heart, tongue and skin of the pig; it can be eaten fresh or dried on smoke

Purica z mlincima (Roasted turkey with mlinci) - traditional dish of Zagorje region, roasted turkey served with mlinci topped with roasting juice

Raca z mlincima (Roasted duck with mlinci) - traditional dish of Međimurje region, roasted duck served with mlinci topped with roasting juice

Sir i vrhnje - cottage cheese and sour cream; the mixture can be seasoned with ground red paprika or pepper, or mixed with onion, chives or garlic

Štrukli (štruklji, štrukle) - traditional Zagorje region speciality, cheese-filled pastry, they can be sweet or salty, cooked or baked

Štrudl (Strudel) - cake made using pulled dough or puff pastry stuffed with fruit, vegetables, cheese...

Ham in bread - traditional holiday dish, boiled ham wraped in bread dough baked in the oven

Tenfani/temfani kunić - traditional dish of Međimurje region, braised rabbit in sauce

Mlinci - traditional pasta tatters dried on a hotplate and soaked in water and mixed with roasting juice

Zlevka/Zlevanka – traditional dry cake made of corn flour

_{Photo credit: Maja Danica Pečanić for Croatian National Tourist Board}