Irresistible Gorski Kotar is an ideal destination to spend joyful children's winter holidays because staying in preserved nature encourages the development of children's imagination, playfulness and creativity, has a positive effect on the immune system and reduces stress in children, which unfortunately exists.
Photo: Poonkt Travel Agency
The Goranski kraj offers a number of opportunities for activities that will entertain and keep children active during the winter vacation, while at the same time they can learn about life's essential values through play and fun. Playful children's hearts will be accompanied by stimulating nature and fresh, clean Goranian air, which will be an exceptional opportunity for them to connect with nature and experience its beauty and benefits.
How to spend the winter holidays in Gorski kotar
In the Center for Large Animals, a multimedia environment, in Stara Sušica, children will learn everything about bears, lynxes and wolves in an interesting way. In Brod na Kupa in the Zrinski castle, they will learn about the history of this region with an emphasis on the Zrinski family. Similar, yet completely different, is the Zrinski castle in Čabr, where there is an extremely valuable local collection on permanent display, as well as a collection of works by the academic painter and graphic artist Vilim Svečnjak.
U to a small cross-country skiing school they will learn another snow sports activity that they will absolutely enjoy, and it is also possible to rent equipment. In the Šumska bajka picnic area, they will feed some fawns, they will be able to see deer and roe deer and wild boars from close and safe proximity. In the caves of Lokvarka in Lokva and Vrelo in Fužine, they will learn what the indescribably rich underground world hides.
Vrelo Cave Photo: Gorski Kotar Tourist Board
This is just a fragment of the content that the Goran region offers to its smallest visitors, as well as to the big ones who will enjoy it without restraint and in complete freedom, which is an essential luxury today.
Traditional events such as the Winter Expedition to Bjelolasica, which will take place on Saturday, February 18, start at 8 a.m. in Begovo Razdolje. The hike is intended for those with a little more endurance. Sunday, February 19 is reserved for the 43rd Peace Marathon, a themed ski marathon that takes place in Mrkopaljsko polje, a region that encouraged peace and sought communication bridges even in moments when it seemed impossible. By the way, it is Mrkopalj, the cradle of skiing, which celebrates 110 years of skiing tradition this year.
Ravnogorsk salamijada
Within 14. Festival from grandma's chest On February 25, 2023, the Ravno Gora salamijade will be held in Ravna Gora. Did you know that homemade Ravnogorsk salami is a cured meat product in the large intestine that is prepared with pork and spices, often adding beef or game meat, as well as some special additions such as dried porcini mushrooms? Sausages are primarily dried for a short time and are mainly for cooking. If you didn't know that, the hosts will surely get to know you because at the Ravnogorska salamijada you will also find an educational workshop "Traditional production of permanent sausages", an exhibition and presentation of Ravnogorje customs "How is blu prejk" (translated from Goranian: How it was before/used to be) , a fair of dried meat products and other autochthonous products and souvenirs, salami tasting with visitor evaluation, a three-minute gourmet challenge to see who can eat the most sausages.
The best salami with the "Golden Sausage 2023" ribbon will also be awarded. The whole event is hosted by the well-known connoisseur Domagoj Jakopović Ribafish, and the good fun will be enriched musically by Trio Kumpanjoni. The event is intended for the youngest and adults, and you will definitely get to know local gastronomic delicacies that delight visitors from the country and abroad, along with socializing with the locals. You can find delicious Goranian salami and sausages as well as other delicacies of the rich Goranian gastronomy at Goranian restaurateurs. With their menus, they support the most delicious gourmet adventure Gastroventure à la Gorski Kotar.
Ravnogorsk stomach - a traditional recipe
We bring you a unique traditional custom of pork processing in the region of Ravnagorje. Namely, in the past a lot of attention was paid to the preparation of a cured meat specialty called stomach. It is prepared with the highest quality pork meat (boneless pork back), full pork stomach with the addition of bacon cubes, whole pepper and salt.
In the past, there was almost no family in Ravna Gora that did not have at least one copy of this specialty, which the people of Ravna Gora kept for special guests and for important family events.
ingredients:
- 5 kg boneless pork loin
- 1 – 1,5 kg of pork hard back fresh bacon
- 200 g of salt
- garlic water from approximately 100 garlic cloves (strained liquid)
- whole pepper
<strong>Preparation: </strong>
The day before grinding the meat, prepare the garlic water. Clean the garlic and beat it with a meat mallet. Put in a bigger jar. Cover with water and let it stand overnight. Clean the pork stomach and let it stand for a while in water to which you have added a little garlic, vinegar, red onion, then rinse.
Ravnogorsk stomach
Grind the meat coarser, and cut the bacon into cubes. Add spices. Mix the meat and spices well several times while adding the garlic water. Fill the stomach and sew. Place planks and a weight on the stomach and let it press for a day or two with occasional turning and poking with toothpicks. After that, pave the stomach with slats and place them on the dryer. Lightly smoke, not on very warm smoke so that the pores on the stomach do not close. Move the slats several times during 1-1,5 months in order to flatten the stomach as much as possible and dry it evenly. After the drying period, leave the stomach in a dark and airy place to ripen.
Photo source: Gorski kotar Tourist Board
