Festival of Istrian Maneštra

Beneath the smiles and theatre you'll see on Gračišće's main square lies a seriously fought competition. Depending on the season and availability of ingredients, the traditional dish of Maneštra can be a wildly varied affair, and recipes can be argued about eternally. Pulses, vegetables, meats and herbs feature prominently in this thick stew/soup, which may remind you of a superior minestrone. Arrive early in the afternoon if you want to learn the secret family recipes and methods employed, or arrive later, at the end of several hours cooking, if you just want to judge the results. The dishes are usually finished just in time for dinner in the evening.