Something I regret from my years of being a restrictive eater is all the foodie adventure opportunities I missed out on. Before leaving on our trip I reflected on this and promised myself that I would not hold back. So much of a culture is expressed in their food and I wanted to soak in as much newness as possible in our short trip abroad.
The foodie adventure began in the Rome Airport on a layover to Croatia where I drank my first (of many many many) cappuccinos. From first sip I knew that my relationship with coffee would be changed forever. I am not exaggerating here - it was that good....
Our first several days in Croatia were coastal and, therefore, were seafood packed. I encountered my first foodie adventure challenge in Split when I was served my plate of shrimp, whole and unpeeled! I looked at my plate, said "challenge accepted" and continued to eat the plate clean. I have to admit that I had to turn my head when snapping the head, but I did it and I'm proud of myself for that :)
I think it's essential while traveling to not only sample the local specialties, but to explore the world of local fast food/ junk food as well. Paprika flavored potato chips were the only flavor chip you could really find aside from standard potato chips, so they were a must-try. Also pizza was by far the most present fast-food option. I'm guessing this is because of Croatia's proximity to Italy, but it was much more fast-food american pizza than Italy-style pizza. One night in Dubrovnik we turned in early and had a little paprika chip, fast food pizza party. I wouldn't rank it on one of the most delicious meals of the trip, but I feel really good about the decision.
Our last days in Croatia were spent in the north where the influence was significantly less Mediterranean and much more Bavarian/Baltic. After hiking for close to 8 hours around Plitvice Lake National Park I ate a dinner called Cevapcici that consisted of a plate of little sausages, fried potato slices and an AMAZING roasted red pepper dip. Of all the things I tried on this trip, this dip is the one thing I MUST learn to make. From a short google search, I think it's called ajvar.
Now, from before we even got on the plan and headed across the Atlantic, Maggie and I knew that we had a foodie-adventure challenge awaiting us on our last days in Croatia. The Istria Peninsula is one of only two places IN THE WORLD where you can find the famed white truffle. Our last day in Croatia was spent touring the small hilltop town of Motovun, AKA, Truffle Central.
We had our most decadent meal of the trip at the famous Zigantes where we ate a 3 course meal, all of which featured truffles, including truffle ice cream for dessert!
The next leg of our trip was a whirlwind tour of Italy: Venice, Florence and Rome. We ate gnocci and ravioli in Venice, chianti soaked pasta in Florence, and Jewish style artichokes (carciofo alla giudia) in Rome. We ate paninis, pizza, arrancini, drank spritzes and Peronis, and of course, had cappucinos and gelato everywheeeeeeerrrreee! The food in Italy did not disapoint.
Ahhh, and here I am a month later, drooling over the pictures. It was quite the foodie adventure and I feel accomplished looking back. To be able to travel is a gift, and not something I take for granted. It's so easy for me to fall into my day to day routine and eat meal after meal consisting of the same 6-7 ingredients arranged in different patterns. Don't get me wrong, I love the food that I eat, but it's good to be thrown somehwere new where those patterns and ingredients don't exist, and to challenge yourself to see what you can make with the newness.
