We have no idea if the person who first said that love goes through the stomach got his inspiration in Istria, but every bite you taste while exploring the paradise peninsula will become a new reason to fall passionately in love with this unique region. You can taste some of the many Istrian delicacies at various spring gastronomic events, which gives you more reasons to visit this destination during the awakening of nature and to fall in love with all its flavours.
Asparagus Festival
This poor, mainly karst region, was not particularly generous to local peasants who wanted to grow their own food here. The soil, however, decided to compensate them for that, by offering delicious and medicinal wild shoots of asparagus, whose appearance announces the awakening of nature and the coming of Easter. Today, this wild food is recognized as a delicious ingredient in a number of local dishes, and there are also multi-day gourmet events dedicated to this plant, such as Šparogada in Kaštel. From 17 to 19 April, those who are interested will be able to try picking asparagus and tasting delicious dishes, and whoever finds the longest asparagus will also win a prize.
Istrian pinca
One humble Istrian man finally decided to afford himself something sweet for Easter. This is how pinca, a sweet bread loaf with raisins, came to be. It was prepared by hardworking housewives in the days before the holidays. This sweet bread – together with boiled eggs, scallion and cooked ham – makes an indispensable Easter breakfast for every Istrian household today. Visit the event called Istrijanske pince pod čerepnjon na ugnjišće on 5 April in Paladnjaki near Žminj. That will be a perfect occasion to taste pincas made by numerous Istrian housewives who will proudly present them there.
Gračišće Wine Festival
And just one day after Easter, on Easter Monday in Gračišće, it is time for both tasting wines of central Istria, wines that local winemakers had been diligently making during the last autumn, and toasting to the new year ahead. Come here on foot or use public transport, because once you buy a wine tasting glass, you will be able to taste wines in as many as 18 taverns. Cheers
Špaleta in Vodnjan
A bit further south in Vodnjan, on the same day, it is also possible to taste dishes made with špaleta from Vodnjan – a meat similar to Istrian prosciutto. However, unlike the Istrian prosciutto whose skin is removed, the špaleta is dried with the skin to avoid overdrying it and it is made from pork shoulder, while the prosciutto is made from pork thigh. With some homemade polenta and other traditional side dishes, it is definitely worth a try if your spring trip brings you to Vodnjan on Easter Monday!
If you are planning a spring visit to Istria, check out this list of events taking place on the Istrian Peninsula and find your favourite ones. See you!
