Čvarci

Čvarci

Čvarci (singular Čvarak) (Serbian Cyrillic: Чварци / Чварак) are thought to be a specialty of west Balkan cuisine but are equally found in the UK under the name pork scratchings. They are a kind of pork 'crisps' thermochemically extracted fat from bacon.

Čvarci are a kind of rustic countryside specialty, common to Serbia and lowland Pannonian regions of Croatia. They can also be found in other ex-Yugoslavia countries. They are almost exclusively homemade, as industrial production is not common. In larger cities they can be obtained on farmer markets.^{[citation needed]}

Preparation

Preparation of čvarci in Karanac, Baranya, Croatia

Preparation of čvarci involves deep-fat frying of bacon. Bacon is cut in blocks of about one inch (2 cm) in size and slowly fried in their own fat. Process lasts until all fat melts away and only a kind of tough crispy pork rind remains. Onion or garlic can be added as a spice. Pieces of skin may or may not be attached. In most common variety of čvarci, some percentage of pork fat remains.

Duvan čvarci

A special variety of čvarci, known as Duvan Čvarci are produced in Šumadija region of central Serbia and especially around the town of Valjevo. In case of duvan čvarci process of slow fat frying/cooking is prolonged until completely all fat is extracted. The remainder is a mass of delicate fibers which resembles finely chopped tobacco, thus giving the name to the variety: 'Duvan' is a Serbian word for tobacco.

Indications of geographical origin (GI) for 'Valjevski duvan čvarci' had been registered and protected in Serbian intellectual property office.^[1]

Consumption

As with most traditional pork products, they are considered to be winter food. Traditional time for pork processing in Balkans is late November and early December, and čvarci are consumed throughout the winter. They can be eaten on their own as a snack, combined with heated fruit brandy common to the same region, called rakija, or they can be used as an ingredient in other food recipes. If consumed as a snack, they are very often combined with beer.

Recipes with čvarci include various sorts of pastry.^[2]

See also

bacon portal

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ Serbian Cafe : Kuvar : Recepti - Punjeni uštipci