Croatia

It's the last day of the month, so I'm working on catching up on the last few countries. Asa isn't in the office (he and the boys have a line up of watching TV, playing video games, and a basketball game), so I don't have tons of motivation to get through these. I'm just going to be brief, so I'm not being the lame one doing work tonight. 

So let's move through the 'Pearl of the Adriatic': Croatia, quickly. 

The boys were familiar for this one because it's that oddly (almost boomeranged) shaped country just north of Bosnia & Herzegovina. 

The country has a ton of coastline along the Adriatic Sea (That's the one that's the little sliver of sea that separates Italy from the Balkan countries.) 

So most of the highlights of Croatia  involve the clear blue sea. You can catch a ferry, sail, or paddle a canoe along the cost. 

Our landmark was Dubrovnik, a city in Southern Croatia along the sea, famous for its limestone wall that separates the city from the sea. Just beyond the walls, you'll find a whole slew of terracotta roofs, also a trademark of this small West Virginia sized country. 

Our book told us about some fun Croatian traditions. 

There's Sinjska Alka, a contest that's been had in Croatia since 1715. Alkars (contestants) dress up in traditional gear, jump on a horse and gallop with lance in hand. You score by piercing that lance through a hanging metal ring (we're pretty sure we saw this once on the Amazing Race). 

On one of the islands (there are many), they perform a traditional dance called the Moreska. It's a story about two kings who fight for the love of a maiden. The dancers spin and clash swords.  (Like a really crazy Medieval Times) 

Then there's the licitars, or little ornaments that double as a sweet snack. They are heart shaped, with colorful icing and sometimes they have little mirrors on them. Apparently, they're so popular in the capital city of Zagreb, they are in the logo of the tourism board. 

The boys made their Croatian postcards. 

Calib's featured the walled city, Dubrovnik, along with the terra cotta roofs. But if you look close between those houses, you will also see a Dalmatian. The dogs were first bred in the historical region of Dalmatia. (They also call the area the Dalmatian Coast) 

Peyton noted the Dalmatians as well, along with the walled cities- and then complained about the state of the Sharpies, so I ordered some new ones. 

If you look closely you can kind of tell some of Hayden's guys are wearing neck ties. In the 17th century, Croatia's military wore the accessories when fighting the French. King Louis the XIV liked them, and they caught on as a result. 

There was plenty of choices for food. Croatians enjoy their seafood, sheeps cheese, truffles and olive oil. But that all seems expensive. I was psyched when I found a 'product of Croatia' jam/spread at Sprouts though! (Disclaimer: it was also decently expensive, for this little tiny jar- but I had my eye on it for weeks, and Asa insisted!) 

And then I went with Punjena Paprika (or Croatian Stuffed Peppers). I wasn't so sure about spending money for the peppers, because I knew the boys might like these as far as the filling went, but they would not be thrilled with the presentation in the pepper. But, when they were 3 for $1 at Sprouts, I felt a little better about it. 

The stuffed pappers are usually served with mashed potatoes, and sometimes I REALLY miss mashed potatoes (why do SO many countries eat rice instead of potatoes? it makes me sad), so Asa whipped some up. We also had South Croatian Sauteed French Beans, along with our fruit of peaches and cherries, and then a little bread with our sour cherry spread. 

This dinner earned five-ish spoons up. 

So, the boys all said it was a spoons up. But, Calib was the only one who ate their pepper. Peyton really liked the filling, and ate all of it while leaving the pepper in tact. Hayden ate the part of the filling with the sauce over top, and left the rest- but then he cleared the rest of his plate, so I'll begurdgingly let his spoons up stand. 

Asa and I both really enjoyed it. We should have cooked the peppers a bit longer, until they were a little softer- but we were already really late on dinner. The beans were slightly salty, but nothing too off putting. 

But that sour cherry spread, oh my goodness. It makes me excited for the next time we have peanut butter and jelly or eggs and toast. (I secretly love when we have a few jams and jellys from various countries in the fridge). 

After much discussion about what color to use, Peyton colored Croatia in the a light green. 

 86 down, 107 to go! 

Next Up: Solomon Islands