Cultured Palate: Dishes from Croatia

8. Ispod peke

This method of cooking isn’t unique to Croatia — it’s common in the neighboring countries of Bosnia and Montenegro as well. Ispod peke, when translated into English, means “under the bell.” The “bell” refers to a lid placed over a cooking vessel, which is then covered with burning embers and allowed to cook slowly underneath a fire. There are many different dishes that use this cooking technique, and like pašticada, it’s hard to replicate in restaurants because this dish benefits from being eaten immediately after cooking. Many Croatian families have outdoor kitchens and fire pits that they use specifically for making dishes like this. What families put in their pot depends on the region, but popular varieties include dishes made of octopus, fish, or lamb.

Nikola Smolenski