Lošinj's croquette CROCANTESSA has become a new souvenir of Mali Lošinj

Lošinjski krokant is a traditional dessert of Lošinj captains, prepared for festive occasions such as weddings, baptisms and important anniversaries. Made from once precious sugar and almonds, it has always been a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Since the golden age of Lošinj sailing ships, crocant cake has been an indispensable part of festivities on the island, and for the most important events, preparations are made on as many as seven floors. Namely, at the peak of the celebration, the exposed krokant is broken for good luck, traditionally with a saber. 

The just mentioned dessert and tradition, "Lošinj crokant CROCANTESS" - has now become a new island product and souvenir of Mali Lošinj

The tradition of making Lošinj krokant has been preserved by women sailors, to whom the sculpture Addio on Čikat is dedicated, and which is also symbolically depicted on the packaging of Lošinj krokant. All of this has been incorporated into the design of the product, which for the first time appears in a practical format suitable for a gift or souvenir, pointed out the director of the Tourist Board of the Town of Mali Lošinj Dalibor Cvitkovic.

This gastronomic novelty in the Lošinj offer was presented by Petar Goleš and Katya Žic-Antunović, on behalf of the company Porat doo, which primarily deals with catering, and Crocantess is their first packaged product. In addition to the usual cakes for weddings and other occasions,  For years, they have been making Lošinj krokant for family and public celebrations, at the request of the people of Lošinj.

Prompted by occasional requests to make a gift-sized croquette, they saw the need to provide this festive dessert with appropriate packaging so that the recipient could break it for good luck, anywhere in the world. In their desire to create a representative gift and  a desirable souvenir for everyone leaving the island was created Crocantess – Lošinj crokant in festive attire. 

"Our desire was to offer the people of Lošinj a product  which they can proudly take as a gift when they travel from the island to visit or welcome their guests with an indigenous dessert. Considering that we also hold tradition in high regard, dance in folklore and participate in various events, this is our contribution to preserving the gastronomic heritage and identity of the island of Lošinj. We are pleased with the fact that we have encountered great support from the community and individuals who selflessly helped in the realization. We hope that the people of Lošinj will be as proud of Lošinjski krokant as we are proud of Crocantessa", he said Petar Goleš, director of Porat doo

Lošinjski krokant Crocantessa is made entirely by hand, in the traditional way, and according to our own family recipe. The square slab of Lošinjski krokant is protected by cellophane from moisture and placed in a reinforced box that protects it from breaking until a special moment – ​​at the moment of celebration, the instructions suggest breaking the Lošinjski krokant for good luck.

It is available only on the island of Lošinj, in the MOBY DICK pastry shops in Mali Lošinj, Veli Lošinj and Nerezine, and in the GASTRO CROATIA delicatessen. 

Zrinka Ettinger Starčić, director of the Lošinj Museum, "She emphasized the importance of Lošinj's crocant in the context of gastronomic intangible heritage."The special feature of Lošinj's krokant is its square shape, its method of making and construction – made from just two ingredients: sugar and chopped almonds, rolled into very thin sheets from which tiers, columns and decorative arches are made. The process of making krokant itself requires great skill and speed, because, like iron, krokant can only be shaped while it is hot. This delicacy makes it particularly fragile and suitable for the ritual of breaking for good luck. The more pieces there are, the more luck in the future."

In light of the initiative of the company Porat doo, Irena Dlaka, an art historian, researched historical records and facts about the continuity of krokant making on the island, and the Lošinj Museum submitted the Lošinj krokant for inclusion in the register of intangible heritage of Croatia.

Photo by: Antonio Pavela