Hello readers! This week I am in Croatia – Istria in the North of Croatia to be precise. I am here for a week, eating too much, looking for truffles, sampling the (delicious) local wine, and cooking with some of the locals. I am quite lucky as I have some friends with an apartment here who have put me in touch with some local people who are very passionate about their food culture.
I had been to Dalmatia, further South (I am sure you will have heard of Dubrovnik) so had some expectations which were not realistic. Istria is more like Italy (not surprising as it used to be part of it) and so there is lots of homemade pasta and risotto. There is also a huge Hungarian influence, so you see lots of goulash too.
One of the first things that I ate here, and still my favourite, is little sweet apple doughnuts called fritole (pronounced frit-oh-lay). They are served cold, although I would quite like to try them warm too. Most recipes are handed down through families, and not actually written anywhere. I did manage to track down a chef – Anna from a terrific family restaurant run by a hunting family, the Morgans, high on a hill surrounded by Vineyards in Brtonigla – who was willing to describe her recipe for me patiently, and here it is.
I think this is a perfect little snack, and would be lovely with a mulled wine or spiced cider. Perfect for winter, or to rustle up quickly when people nip by for a visit.
Enjoy!
SALIVATING here!
Looks absolutely delicious! Gonna makes some one day!
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how lovely particularly perfect for this cold weather!
I would love to have one of these little balls with the cup of tea I have just made myself. I so love your approach to food, you seem so interested in how different cultures eat and cook, and I feel like I am travelling with you when I read your travelling posts (in reality I am at home on a gloomy november day, with the Daylight bulb on to try and escape winter blues!!!) thanks for your post.
I re discovered dough nuts a few days back. In Munich, fresh as , very nice. Your dough nuts look amazing. Oh er that sounds like a Carry on Film line.
Your site is great as ever.
These look absolutely delicious and I have a glut of apples in my kitchen at the moment (and there’s only so much chutney you can make) so definitely going to be trying out your recipe – thanks :)
I’m very jealous of your trip to Croatia, I’ve always wanted to go there.