Dish of the Month

Cuttlefish is a great gastronomic icon of Dalmatia, prepared in various ways, and the most famous recipe is black risotto. The origin of the dish is Italian; the recipe was probably invented under the influence of Venice and Trsat. The black coloring is extracted from the cuttlefish during preparation and it is added afterwards to the cooked risotto. The fresher the cuttlefish is, the more intense will black color be. This dish is for true lovers of everything that comes from the sea. Some people prefer it as a light appetizer, although it is nutritious and tasty enough to be eaten as a whole meal. In Dalmatia, the black cuttlefish risotto is sometimes prepared as a lean dish for Christmas Eve.

The history of arambaši can be traced as far back as to ancient Romans. The technique of wrapping minced meat and cooking it in a juicy sauce was passed down throughout centuries. Many nations worldwide have their own version or have added their own particular touch to the meal, and so has Croatia. In the region of Slavonia we call it sarma, the name resembling to the one Turks use for a similar dish. And in Sinj, the dish is called arambaši (tur. haram ‘rebellion’, başı ‘leader’). Arambaši is indispensable on the menu, especially for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, Lady of Sinj and Alka of Sinj feasts. It is quite similar to sarma – minced meat is wrapped in sour cabbage leaves, only with arambaši the stuffing is roughly cut. It was created as a symbol of resistance to the Turkish invaders and has become widely known pride of the Cetina region’s cuisine. The method of preparation is also on the list of protected intangible cultural assets of the Ministry of Culture of Croatia.