As this is my 1st post on The Gastronomic Terp, I figured I would begin with part of the inspiration for this blog! As a way to capture one of the best parts of traveling to new cultures, and an area that is often not captured in the 500 photos that we all take when we travel, I decided to reminisce about my trip to Croatia 3 years ago.
The food and wine were a fundamental and amazing part of the entire trip, although this blog doesn't even begin to do it justice. Some new things were added to our culinary palates that I still search out to this day including black squid ink pasta or risotto, fresh octopus salad, and whole fresh fish. Some tried and true staples including our love affair with cappuccino and gelato, their delicious and salty Pag cheese (think hard Italian cheeses), grilled lamb, cherries from the Farmer's Markets, and of course phenomenal white and red wines from the Dalmatian Coast! And just a few things that they might want to re-think...fresh veggies do not need to be soaked in vats of olive oil, they are quite tasty nice and fresh, and sausages should not look like they came out of can. Oh, and Grapa is an acquired taste - one I hope I never get used to.
And now that we are underway, a few other inspirations for this blog include my world traveling sister, and my complete enjoyment while reading her stories from abroad and at home in whatever world capital she may be living in at the moment. Thank you to Steezy for the fantastic stories and recap of your adventures in NZed (and Italia) which have set the bar high for entertainment and humor, as well as a thank you to my fellow Terp and prolific blogger, Deviled Megs for the final title selection, encouragement to start this blog, and knowledge that I will have at least one follower!
1st meal in Dubrovnik - Mussels, Risotto and a Glass of Wine
We had a slight obsession with our cappuccinos and probably drank at least 3 a day!
It took some getting used to not having a Grande sized coffee in the morning.
Outdoor cafes within the City Walls and their version of the Spanish Steps behind us.
Croatian White - Posip was enjoyed at many meals!
Did you know that Grgich Hills in Napa comes from Croatian grapes?
We were on a mission to find this hidden gem!
Somehow a form of tuna pate magically appeared in front of us at every meal in Dubrovnik.
Eating gelato in the square!
It must be a national past time since every time we turned around there was another gelato shop.
Cherries from the Farmer's Market in Montenegro, while sitting on an island in the middle of a fjord.
Whole salt fish that was surprisingly tasty and not too many bones!
Our least favorite meal of the trip was in Mostar.
But we made sure to enjoy the local beers!
Grapa aka Fire Water - not for the weak stomach, and yet it magically appeared at every meal!
Before and After photos were priceless.
You'll see this meal has a recurring theme - mussels and fresh octopus salad!
Gelato in the rain - Why Not?
Cappuccinos on the steps of Diocletian's Palace in Split.
1st breakfast in Hvar was very underwhelming.
Seriously, are those breakfast sausages or wienies from a can?
More seafood for dinner - one of just many fantastic things about traveling in Croatia!
Zivjeli (Cheers)!!