The traditional homemade cheese most commonly produced in Lika, but also in other parts of Gorski Kotar and northern Dalmatia, is one of those you rarely remember to toss into your supermarket basket or buy at the market, but it can actually be the perfect addition to many summer dishes. Škripavac is a semi-hard cheese that doesn’t age long, doesn’t have a particularly pronounced flavor, is only mildly salty, but is special because it squeaks between your teeth when you eat it.
Although škripavac is often eaten fresh, as part of a platter, sprinkled with a little olive oil or served with bread and cream, it can very easily become a more exciting addition to many dishes. In fact, just like halloumi, a cheese it can be compared to, škripavac can also be grilled. And by grilling, it becomes even tastier and an even better addition to salads, sandwiches, and grilled dishes.
WHAT TO PAIR IT WITH?
A great option will always be a salad, such as this one with zucchini—the recipe is below—and you can also pair it with other grilled vegetables, especially if you’re preparing it as part of a barbecue menu. Also, besides with good olive oil, škripavac goes well with a fine homemade pesto or a yogurt-based sauce with garlic and herbs like dill. Although a bit unusual, a good ajvar is also a good option alongside škripavac.
In addition to being a side or an add-on, you can pan-fry škripavac and use it as a sandwich topping. When it melts slightly, it stays creamy inside and a bit crispy outside, so all it needs is a salad and a simple sauce, maybe a few fresh cucumbers, and you’ll have a vegetarian sandwich that even the biggest meat lovers will enjoy. Of course, if you can’t go without meat or fish, you can always use it as a cheesy addition to a nice burger or a fish sandwich. Besides that, you can simply serve škripavac with avocado toast and eggs.
WHERE TO BUY GOOD ŠKRIPAVAC?
Škripavac can now be found in supermarkets and it’s not too expensive, with the price up to 5 euros for about 200 grams. We usually buy it at the market, at the Veronika Delikatesa stands, and it can also be found in specialty stores with domestic products, such as Mrkvica, Špeceraj, and similar. Good škripavac is also produced by OPG Kolačević, OPG Jareš, Runolist cheese dairy and Sirana Vedrine.
So, next time you’re browsing your favorite store, be sure to stop by the dairy fridge and toss škripavac into your basket—we believe that, especially in its warm form, you’re really going to like it.
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