When it’s time to celebrate, let’s celebrate with a festival of šaša and pulenta!

After we visited the interesting sand festival in Nin, it was time to use the day, the weather, and the locations around us for even more detailed research of new manifestations. A festival was held in Vodice almost at the same time, the smell of which spread far and wide.

“Well, it’s the famous šaša and pulenta festival,” I said to myself and immediately got hungry. It was as if they knew it was time for dinner, and made by the hardworking hands of the local nonas (grandmothers).

Vodice, Photo: Adria.fun

And what are šaša and pulenta? It sounded familiar, but it took me a while to connect the local dialect with my own. Well, of course, we are talking about šalša, a sauce made from boiled tomatoes and Mediterranean spices, and polenta, which is still known throughout Croatia by names like žganci, pura, or kačamak. “Yum”, I thought, “I haven’t tried that combination yet”.

“So that the old mores of Vodice never die out” was written on the banner located on the waterfront on the shore of Vladimir Nazor, where curious people were already gathering!

It is precisely this combination, say the organizers of the festival from the Perlice association, that has sustained the people of Vodice even in the most difficult times, and that is still prepared traditionally so that it will never be forgotten.

Festival of šaša and pulenta, Photo: Adria.fun

On the waterfront, Perlice organized an old open-air kitchen and a complete display of how šaša and pulenta were prepared in the past. The enticing smell was spreading along the waterfront, so I hope I can at least show it well enough for you.

Everything was there, an old hoosier cabinet, a table and chairs, a stove, dishes and plates for eating… all in the open, right in front of many curious people and also free for all visitors.

While water for the polenta was boiling on the hearth in the middle of the outdoor kitchen, I learned that this year the šaša and polenta festival is being held for the 17th time, and it all started way back in 2005.

The vital nonas deftly prepared the dish, and then the letters of the Bunari klapa blared from the speaker, which fit perfectly into the whole ambiance. From that moment until the end of the festival, their song and the voices of the nonas, who explained the whole process of cooking, decorating the tables, and weaving fig wreaths, filled the waterfront.

Klapa Bunari, Festival of šaša and pulenta, Photo: Adria.fun

Valuable Perlice enjoyed the charms of a hot summer guide night with song, laughter, and dance, and we observers couldn’t wait to try what they cooked up. I really enjoyed watching them…

Although some pots were already full of šaša and pulenta and were almost ready to be tasted, Perlice revealed the recipe for its preparation before the tastings, so here is everything you need for this traditional dish from Vodice!

Finally, everything was finished and it was time to taste the prepared food. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one hungry, since there was a long line, and some were asking for additional plate. When I finished filming, because I was still on a work assignment, I stood in line and tried this famous Vodice dish. The smell and taste were excellent, and as I could see the other visitors enjoyed it too.

The Šaša and pulenta festival this year also had a humanitarian character, so voluntary contributions were also collected for their resident Michael Babić, who has been battling a malignant tumor since 2014. In return, you could get a festival t-shirt, along with a smile from the team at the counter, so I decided to contribute so that Michael himself, at this same festival next year, could join us.

Until next time, 3..2..1.. cook..

Festival of šaša and pulenta, Photo: Adria.fun

This publication was co-financed by the Fund for the Promotion of Pluralism and Diversity of Electronic Media.