Simple, healthy and delicious — you have to try this traditional Croatian dish!

Photo credits: http://mamajasamgladan.com/gregada/

 

One of the advantages of having the Adriatic at your doorstep is an abundance of fresh fish. It has served as inspiration for countless recipes, all focused on bringing out the taste of the sea. 

One of them is gregada, a fish soup typical for central Dalmatian islands, most famously Hvar.

It’s one of the oldest Croatian fish soup recipes and was created to make use of the smaller-sized fish which could not be properly grilled. As most traditional Mediterranean food, gregada is simple, healthy and delicious. For its base, you can use pretty much any type of white fish, but it’s most commonly made with sea bream, redfish or anglerfish.

Besides the fish, to make gregada, you will need one onion, potatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley, white wine and bay leaves.

Before you start preparing gregada, make sure you have a deep and wide pot to cook it in. After all, it is a soup. First, you clean and gut your fish. If you’re using larger fish like sea bream, cut the fish in half, but if you’re using smaller fish, leave it in one piece. Cut the onion, garlic, parsley and peel the potatoes. Cut the potatoes into 2 cm slices.

The story of gregada

Gregada is believed to have been brought to Dalmatia by ancient Greek settlers. It became popular as a way for fishermen to make use of their daily catch and ingredients readily available in their coastal villages. They would prepare gregada on their boats using a combination of freshly caught fish and pantry staples, cooking it slowly in a pot over an open flame.

Over time, gregada became not only a practical meal for fishermen but also a beloved dish enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Its popularity spread beyond the fishing communities, becoming a staple of Dalmatian cuisine and finding its way onto the menus of restaurants throughout the region. If you’re looking to try this local delicacy, our gregada recipe has got you covered!

Gregada recipe

As a cherished part of the Dalmatian culinary tradition, gregada serves as a reminder of the region’s rich maritime heritage and the resourcefulness of its people. Whether enjoyed in a seaside tavern or prepared at home, it never fails to delight with its simple yet satisfying flavors and connection to the Adriatic Sea.

Ingredients

To make gregada, you will need:

  • fish
  • one onion
  • potatoes
  • garlic
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • pepper
  • parsley
  • white wine
  • bay leaves

How to cook gregada

  1. Before you start preparing gregada, make sure you have a deep and wide pot to cook it in. After all, it is a soup. First, you clean and gut your fish. If you’re using larger fish like sea bream, cut the fish in half, but if you’re using smaller fish, leave it in one piece. 
  2. Cut the onion, garlic, parsley and peel the potatoes. Cut the potatoes into 2 cm slices.
  3. Saute the onion and garlic on some olive oil and add 2 dcl of white wine. Now layer your ingredients, as if you’re making a cake.
  4. Add the potatoes, fish and pour water just to cover the top of the fish. Salt and pepper the soup and add your bay leaves.
  5. Turn up the heat until the soup starts simmering, then cook for 20 minutes on low heat.
  6. During the cook time, don’t mix or stir the gregada. Use your fork to tell if the potatoes are done and in the final minutes sprinkle some parsley.

Serving gregada

When your gregada is cooked to perfection, with the fish tender and the potatoes soft but not mushy, portion the meal into individual serving bowls, making sure to include a piece of fish, potatoes, and plenty of the aromatic broth. For the finishing touch, garnish each bowl of gregada with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.

Serve the gregada immediately while it’s piping hot. You can accompany it with crusty bread or garlic toast to soak up the flavorful broth. Optionally, you can offer extras such as a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, or a wedge of lemon on the side for diners to customize their dish to their liking. And that is your gregada recipe — bon appetit!

Sample the flavors of the finest Croatian fish

If you’re eager to try this Mediterranean delicacy, why not do it during your Croatian vacation? Pay a visit to the idyllic Camping Village Šimuni and stop by our restaurant for a delicious dinner on the island of Pag. Simply reach us via this contact form and we’ll handle the rest.