The cuisine of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been formed over the centuries under the influence of various currents, but the truly national one is present in it, and therefore it will delight admirers of culinary delights with unusual dishes and unique combinations.
If you are going to Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time, be sure to put yourself in the plan of visits to attractions and cafes and restaurants of local cuisine. Only in this way will it be possible to fully experience the amazing atmosphere of the Balkan country, which is very close to the Adriatic Sea, but has only one way out to it, and in that case the length of the coastline is less than 25 kilometers.
Key Features
The culinary traditions of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been formed over the centuries under the direct influence of the experience of neighboring (and not only) states: Turkey, Germany, many South Slavic; which is due to the special location of the country - it is clearly at the intersection of trade roads.
Naturally, the local people generously made changes to the recipes, added something of their own, originally Balkan, as a result of which they managed to create a truly unique, unique cuisine, enchanting an amazing combination of tastes.
At the heart of the vast majority of dishes:
- meat of various kinds;
- a variety of vegetables;
- dairy and sour-milk products;
- cereals.
The main characteristic feature of the cuisine of Bosnia and Herzegovina is that any products try to cook as long as possible and almost always, without any significant exceptions, add greens and vegetables to the dishes.
On the table there are always and in abundance various bakery products, among which:
- karavai of all sizes and kinds;
- rolls;
- loaves;
- and a local peculiar lavash called somun, which is fresh.
Meat dishes
If to speak more in detail about meat, here equally popular pork, beef and mutton. Perhaps, it is impossible to single out exactly which kind of meat excels among the "aborigines". Most often, meat is served stewed or roasted on fire.
Naturally, based on the above features of cooking, meat dishes are abundantly added with vegetables and greens. Among the most delicious, unusual and most accurately demonstrating the local culinary direction of dishes is:
- Bosanski-lonas - meat is cooked like roast, but cabbage, paprika, other vegetables and large amounts of any greens are added to it;
- zhaprak - these are original local stuffed cabbage rolls;
- chevapchichi - small, surprisingly tender sausages, for their preparation, specially prepared, minced meat is used;
- shish - in principle, the usual shish kebab, but, of course, necessarily served with vegetables;
- hajji-kvap - meat, baked with any vegetables;
- Haiduk - meat , cooked on the grill.
In general, it can be listed for a very, very long time. Believe me, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the country where everyone knows several different recipes for cooking meat.
Vegetables are a special honor!
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, vegetables are always eaten, no matter what time of day it is outside the window. They are always served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, playing the role of small snacks or full meals - depending on the main menu.
What is noteworthy, in salads, vegetables are served only in large pieces, and vegetable oil is used for dressing: sunflower and olive. In general, vegetable salads do not represent a complex recipe for cooking - it's a banal combination of various vegetables. Although even among them stand out several unique in their composition dishes, which combine:
- greenery;
- paprika;
- pepper;
- tomatoes;
- other vegetables.
It should be remembered and cake Zielanitsu, the main ingredient of which is spinach.
Fish and seafood
Since the coastal sea line is too sparse in Bosnia and Herzegovina, seafood here is not too common. But the usual fish is served relatively often. The greatest demand is enjoyed by river trout, which does not need to be introduced.
The following fish dishes should also be noted:
- fish goulash;
- just fried fish;
- fish pies.
Sweets and desserts
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, various sweets, desserts are appreciated, many of which were influenced by Turkish cuisine. Virtually every grocery store in the city presents such sweets as:
- lukum;
- halva;
- sujuk;
- cookies from puff pastry;
- baklava;
- gurabiya and others.
But desserts, more characteristic Slavic cuisine, are not discarded here, and therefore often they cook and serve pies with curd (for example, bilberry), pancakes with different fillings, donuts, apple pies with cream. And indeed, they adore baking here, using as a filling:
- jam;
- honey;
- nuts, etc.
- honey tinctures;
- juices;
- milk, both fresh and dairy products, cooked according to various recipes;
- tea with field, forest and mountain herbs.
- buza - is prepared from millet;
- rakia - a sufficiently strong, intoxicating drink, for the preparation of which grapes or fruits are used;
- wine - especially worth distinguishing such brands as "Zhilavka" and "Gangash".
And what do they drink in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
In the country there is a cult of coffee. It is drunk always and everywhere. After any meal, always take a cup of a fragrant, slightly tart and necessarily hard-boiled beverage. Among other popular are:
They like alcohol here, but most often they drink beer. Also it is possible and it is necessary to mention such local alcoholic drinks as:
Going to this country, we recommend you try wine - they, unfortunately, are not too popular in Europe, but very tasty and quality. Apparently, the local people either do not want to supply them to other countries, or they can not make their way to foreign markets.
Here you will find not only a unique cuisine, in which many styles and directions intermixed, but also a wonderful rest in the magnificent, undeservedly left behind many famous tourist destinations, the country!