Heat Survival for Foodies

Sooner or later the temperatures will go back to just average hot. But until then, it's tough. All over the media you can see and hear the advice that it's better not to go outside during the day. But one's got to work, socialize, hang out, do errands, eat and drink. You can't stay in your air-conditioned room that long. Especially if you're just visiting Zagreb and want to experience it up close and personal. I'll try to give some reasonable suggestions on how to survive the heat and also enjoy the taste of Zagreb in summer as much as possible.

“Zrinjevac Park is one of the favourite summer spots in Zagreb.” Image credit: Taste of Croatia

1. Drink plenty of fluids

Yes, a bottle of water should always be pri ruci and alcohol is not good for you in the heat. But gemišt is 50% water and it's bubbles are really refreshing! Our favourite summer drink, the mother of all cocktails, is light and slightly acidic white wine plus sparkling water. No ice, but nicely chilled. And what better place to try it than Pod starim krovovima, where the characters from Zagreb's all-time favourite film Tko pjeva zlo ne misli drank it, too. This cozy pub with tradition since 1830 is full of local flavour and quite secluded for a place that's not even a 100 m from the super touristy St. Mark's Square. Apart from drinking, you can also eat fluids. Like a refreshing cold cucumber soup in the ever-reliable Vinodol restaurant.

“Gemišt, local version of wine spritzer, quenches your thirst like no other summer drink. And it’s social, too.” Image credit: Taste of Croatia

2. Eat light food

Sure, when it's over 30 °C, you're definitely not in the mood for grah s kobasicama (bean stew with sausage), špek fileki (tripes with bacon) or a big roast. Salads, light pasta dishes and risottos are more appropriate. Zagreb's favourite mixture of fresh cottage cheese and cream comes in handy as a cold starter, dip or spread. The seasonal pečene paprike (roasted red horn peppers) make the perfect side dish. When you do have a craving for a comforting meat-based meal, summer classics like punjene paprike (stuffed bell pepers) are here to score.

“Roasted peppers start appearing in August and enhance the summer menu instantly.” Image credit: Vinodol FB

3. Cool down and refresh

Instead of just hibernating in an air-conditioned room, you can also cool down with a cold drink or, even better, with a yummy ice cream. Summer calls for fruity and juicy flavours, but why not try the one with the name Zagreb written all over it? It's a dark chocolate treat from the eponymous downtown ice cream parlour. As far as liquid refreshment goes, nothing beats elderflower cordial with lemon, fresh mint leaves and a lot of ice. And if you need a cold wake-up call, they make some great iced coffees at Quahwa.

“Zagreb ice cream from Zagreb patisserie – because we love our city so much that we also want to lick it.” Image credit: Taste of Croatia

4. Avoid too much sun exposure

Not easy to avoid the sun when you're out there, making the most of your days in Zagreb. Luckily, our impressively developed café culture means there are shaded terraces literally all over. Chilling on the grass in Zrinjevac Park while watching the fountains is a good anti-heat treatment, and in the evening the locals like to retreat to Strossmayer Promenade or the hip Art Park.  

5. Eat your vitamins

Yes, we all know – food rich with vitamins and minerals is good for you to keep you fit in this extreme weather. Fruits and veggies should dominate your diet. But that's good because now is the peak season of the best there is – juicy and sweet melons, watermelons, figs, grapes, peaches, apricots, pears... Use the abundance of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplants and the rest. The trick is to know how to upgrade it to make it a more gourmet experience. For example, melons pair wonderful with our dry-cured ham, grapes love the company of hard cheese, and grilled peaches wrapped in bacon are heavenly.

“Because a melon would be too boring without a slice of good pršut.” Image credit: Taste of Croatia

There's still at least a month of hard core summer ahead of us so remember – heat is the enemy, but if you deploy the right tactic and surround yourself with useful allies, you can turn it into a not only bearable but also a pleasant experience.

“Seasonal vegetables and herbs - your summer allies.” Image credit: Taste of Croatia

Header image credit: Taste of Croatia

Author: Morana Zibar / Taste of Croatia