Cocofloss visited Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast to play amongst the country’s rugged, blue shores and perennial sunshine. We AirBnb'd in a delightful, IKEA-adorned flat, tucked surprisingly within the stone walls of Split’s Diocletian Palace – a cool, imposing Roman palace whose white stone surfaces have been polished Disney-smooth over millennia of use. We admired the 3,500-year-old granite sphinxes that Emperor Diocletian imported from Egyptian tombs and stately Dalmatians dogs dotting the streets. We strolled through the labyrinth of markets, bars, restaurants, and shops – deceiving time within the 4th century AD walls – offering warm meals, cold beers, fresh fruits, jewelry, lavender, stories, and art.
The next morning, we sailed to Komiža on the Island of Vis. A fishing village with gorgeous beaches and great wine, Komiža is the place to enjoy an unforgettable meal. We packed our dinghy with six hungry stomachs and motored over to Konoba Jastožera, an open-air restaurant with seating atop a wooden dock with hypnotic slits open to the lapping blue sea. We watched our fresh prawns, fish, and steaks cook over a traditional stone grill. It came to our table simple and hot, and we enjoyed it with local wine and rakija (fruit brandy).
The following day, we caught the wind to Hvar, a bustling town that has long been the center of Adriatic culture and trade. We enjoyed the local seafood and the island’s centuries-refined tradition of hospitality. Sugar-high on gelato and fueled for more, we rented scooters and rode around the playful, mountainous curves of the island, passing through some of the most fragrant lavender fields and admiring the panoramic views. We enjoyed another orange sunset drunk in love with Croatia’s staggering beauty, culture, and food.
Thanks to Cocoflosser Diana for taking Cocofloss to Croatia!
Where are you taking #cocofloss? Submit pics & tips to team@cocofloss.com.
CROATIA TRIVIA
1. [This variety] grapes originate from Croatia
2. [This city] in Game of Thrones is filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia
3. The world’s first [instrument] that is played by the sea’s rhythmic waves is in Zadar, on the Dalmatian coast
4. Emperor Diocletian was the only Roman emperor to ever [verb], and he chose Split, Croatia as his home
5. [This industrial category] accounts for over 10% of exported goods from Croatia
6. Croatia joined the European Union in [year] as the 28th member state
7. There are three large animals that live in Croatia – the wolf, [type of cat], and the bear
8. Croatia declared independence from [country] in 1991
9. [This dog breed] originates from the coastal region of Croatia
Answers: 1. Zinfandel 2. King’s Landing 3. organ pipe 4. retire 5. Ship building 6. 2013 7. lynx 8. Yugoslavia 9. Dalmatian
EAT
Shrimp with garlic, tomato and wine
1⁄3 cup olive oil
1⁄4 cup bread crumbs or panko
8 cloves garlic, minced
1⁄2 small yellow onion, minced
3⁄4 cup dry white wine
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 (15-oz) can whole peeled tomatoes, puréed
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 1⁄2 lb raw, unpeeled shrimp, heads on
1 tbsp minced parsley
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
Sourdough bread, for serving
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over low-to-medium heat. Toast crumbs until golden, 2–3 minutes; transfer to a bowl. Wipe skillet clean; heat remaining oil over medium heat. Cook garlic and onion until golden, 5–7 minutes. Add wine, tomato paste, tomatoes, salt, and pepper; boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; add shrimp. Cook covered, until pink, 4–5 minutes. Stir in reserved bread crumbs, parsley, and lemon juice. Serve with bread.
