Zagorje Turkey - The King of Birds
There's a funny saying in Croatia, it goes something like this: “Until I try the lion, the pig is the king of animals for me.” It refers to the popularity of pork and pork products in our cuisine. However, during the holiday season, I think we can easily say that the turkey takes the throne and becomes the king of animals. At least in the kitchen. Many nations serve roast turkey for holidays and festive family dinners, so we can’t say this is our unique custom, but it’s deep-rooted and traditional. In and around Zagreb, Christmas dinner and New Year’s Eve dinner is simply unthinkable without a roast turkey.
“The famous Zagorje turkeys live, in their natural habitat.” Image credit: Zagorski puran
While you can easily find a whole turkey in any other time of the year, a few days before the Christmas the situation is quite different and very uncertain. The demand is much higher than the supply and everyone is in quest for that perfect turkey. Even the mass-produced supermarket ones are sold out very quickly. Just a lucky few have some family or friends in the countryside who can provide a proper bird easy. If you want to have a real, home-grown turkey, it’s smart to establish a relationship with a “dealer” and put your name on the waiting list weeks ahead.
“There’s even a Zagorje turkey road!” Image credit: Zagorski puran
In continental Croatia, the most wanted, famous and prized turkey is the one from Zagorje, the tranquil rural region north from Zagreb. Supposedly, Zagorje turkey came to these parts way back in the early 16th century, as a gift from an Italian bishop. The average weight of the male gobbler is 6 kg, while the females reach 4 kg. Most often you’ll see a female served on for holidays, not older than eight months. This is actually the only native breed of turkey in Croatia, and since 2000 it’s been on the World Watch List for domestic animal diversity.
“From a presentation of Zagorje turkey in Zagreb, a classic roast with mlinci pasta.” Image credit: Puran zagorskih brega FB
This all sounds nice, but it’s not so easy to lay your hands on an original Zagorje turkey, because there are still not so many of them on the market. “Zagorski puran” is now a protected brand, and behind it is an agricultural cooperative called Puran zagorskih brega, uniting a dozen or more farmers devoted to raising this special breed of turkey. As the geographical origin of the breed is protected at the national level, the standards are strict and it can only be raised in Krapina-Zagorje County and Varaždin County. Of course, the next logical step is to protect it on the EU level, and we hope to see that happen soon. The estimate is that there are some 6,000 real-deal Zagorje turkeys in Croatia, while the potential for their farming and growth is much bigger, so this number should be rising every year. So getting one of these gobblers on your table is quite a catch.
. “The most common thing you’ll see at a holiday dinner in Zagreb.” Image credit: Taste of Croatia
During the holiday season, newspapers and magazines will be full of interesting new recipes for preparing turkey, trying to inspire creativity in home cooks. Nevertheless, mostly everyone, no matter how traditional you are deep inside, will stick to the classic. We have the winning formula and we don’t need to change it. Just the plain old roast with mlinci (traditional pasta tatters) on the side, with lots of salad. Nothing less, nothing more. Since we like to overdo it with food, there will always be leftovers, but turkey can last for a couple of days, you can make salads, sandwiches, top it with some relish, whatever. Yes, cynics will say that roast turkey is available everywhere all year round, from canteens to restaurants, but who cares - in the festive season it has a special meaning, bringing that warm and fuzzy, homey feeling, both in our hearts and our stomachs.
Header mage credit: Taste of Croatia
Author: Taste of Croatia