From homemade wines to delicious seafood dishes, Montenegrin cooking offers something for everyone who visits this beautiful country. Whether you’re looking to enjoy some traditional barbecues or explore local markets, there’s no shortage of culinary experiences waiting to be discovered in Montenegro.
Exploring Food
Traditional food in Montenegro are often based on locally-sourced ingredients and rely heavily on fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices. A typical meal could include savory meat dishes like cicvara (a combination of potatoes, onions, garlic, and cheese) or priganice (fried potato dumplings), paired with a side dish such as burek (meat or cheese-filled pastry). For something sweet, many Montenegrins enjoy homemade cakes or other desserts made from local berries.
Read Also: Seafood dishes to watch out for in Montenegro
Homemade drinks are also popular in Montenegro. Locals often make their wines using grapes grown in the area’s vineyards. Other favorite beverages include rakija (fruit brandy), sok od zove (elderberry flower juice), and sok od nane (mentha juice). Many restaurants will offer these traditional drinks alongside more familiar alcoholic beverages like beer.
Popular Montenegrin Dishes
1. Kačamak
Kačamak is a traditional Montenegrin dish. Once a poor man’s dish, today it is a brand more than two centuries old, which makes tourists from all over the world happy to visit our national restaurants. It is made from corn flour and it’s somehow forgotten and left in the past where it does not belong, but it is very healthy and tasty, especially with cheese, and it can also be eaten with milk, yogurt, ham, and paprika, as a pie, there are various variations.
In Montenegro, kačamak is a Montenegro food staple that every housewife knew how to prepare. As per tradition, it is ‘beaten’ 365 times with a wooden tool called kačamar to ensure that the potatoes and flour are thoroughly combined. The taste of kačamak is influenced by the individual ingredients, as well as the duration of cooking. Although the recipe has remained largely unchanged, the dish now includes cheese and cream in addition to potatoes and flour.
While there’s a common belief that preparing kačamak requires men’s strength, Montenegrin women have traditionally taken charge of this task, not allowing men to intervene. Despite the challenge, they handle all aspects of making this traditional dish, often downplaying its complexity by saying there’s nothing simpler than making homemade kačamak.
The best place to eat kačamak in Montenegro is in Kolašin, a small city on the north in Savardak restaurant.
2. Raštan
Montenegrin raštan: Discover the unique flavors of Montenegrin raštan, a distinctive dish blending meat and vegetables that’s bound to impress from the first bite. Raštan, a type of cabbage found in Herzegovina, Dalmatia, and Montenegro, is similar to spinach but requires a longer cooking time. It serves as a versatile ingredient for various dishes, including our recommended recipe that combines it with an assortment of meats and vegetables for a truly Montenegrin culinary experience.
In traditional preparation, raštan is cooked in a cauldron over an open hearth fire in village or rural homes. Near the end of cooking, the dish is served on plates, while the accompanying meat is placed separately, either on a plate or in a bowl. This method allows the meat to be served alongside the raštan or offered to guests as a distinct taste experience.
Brodeti
Brodeti, or fish stews or soups, are undoubtedly common in all regional, local, and even some household cuisines in the Adriatic Sea. Their diversity is dependent on the selection of fish, veggies, and spices. However, unlike the conventional brodet, which employs (as many) different varieties of fish as possible, the Bokeljes all use the same sort of fish when creating their specialty.
Brodet was established by fishermen who wanted to avoid wasting little, injured fish that they couldn’t sell at the market. However, poor fisherman from Mulo, Prčanja, Krašić, and other villages of Boka Kotorska did not want to toss numerous species of fish on just one dish, hence the Bokeški brodet was created. This would usually be a gruj – a type of fish – which is abundant in the bay and easy to capture. There is even a proverb that “without gruj, there is no brodet”.
Brodet is a specialty dish that is offered at nearly every Mediterranean restaurant along the coastline of Montenegro. If you’re looking for a light meal with a Mediterranean flavor, Brodet is a must-try.
4. Mussels on buzara
Let us continue with Montenegro’s Mediterranean cuisine and add one more exquisite dish called mussels on buzara. To clarify, buzara is not a form of casserole, but rather a coastal word for foods cooked with tomatoes and onions. What we call goulash or stew on the mainland, this is a little simpler. The recipe for this delectable dish is probably so basic that it couldn’t be easier, yet the flavor is excellent. Ideal for lunch on Fridays, and if this is your pick, don’t forget the glass of white wine; they go so well together!
5. Lamb in milk with vegetables
When it comes to greeting and receiving guests in this region, lamb is frequently the star of the show. The taste is superb whether cooked traditionally or innovatively. However, some people may reject lamb because of its distinctive odor. Lamb in milk is an excellent choice for individuals who want to taste lamb without the pungent odor. This delicacy has a soft and succulent texture, and the milk helps to balance the lamb’s powerful flavor. The vegetables accompanying the dish are also extremely flavorful, making it a truly specialty cuisine worth tasting.
Read Also: The Best Priganice in Montenegro
Finally, Montenegro has a wonderful culinary tradition and delicious food. From traditional delicacies like cicvara and priganice to delectable street cuisine and homemade drinks, the flavors of this small Balkan nation are likely to please even the most discerning palates.
Whether you’re seeking for a premium dining experience or just want to try some local dishes while traveling, Montenegro has plenty of possibilities. With its beautiful landscapes, pleasant temperature, and friendly residents, it’s no surprise that so many visitors return year after year! So, if you’re planning a vacation soon, don’t miss out on Montenegro’s culinary offerings!
