Tag: Vegan

Travelling as a vegan or vegetarian in the Balkans might seem like a challenge at first glance–especially if you’ve heard about the region’s big love for meat and dairy.  But look beyond the grills and stews, and you’ll find a wealth of naturally vegan dishes, thanks to centuries-old fasting traditions and the region’s rich agricultural heritage. With Easter approaching and the end of a major fasting period for our Orthodox Christian and Catholic friends, it’s the perfect time to talk about plant-based eating in the Balkans (enter: posno). This handy guide will help you explore vegan, vegetarian, and dairy and gluten-free foods available in Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Serbia and Albania–and learn how to ask for them. In this post: Understanding Posno and why it's good for vegans Vegan & vegetarian-friendly Balkan dishes Vegan & vegetarian travel tips for the Balkans Can you get gluten-free food in the Balkans? How to order vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free meals Our vegan guest's experience Are the Balkans Vegan-friendly? We won’t lie, the Balkan countries aren’t the easiest places to navigate dietary requirements and the answer lies in tradition. The Balkans are mountainous countries where people have historically lived off their livestock in harsh environments with a short growing season. Long winters meant that vegetables and fruits were pickled or preserved with sugar to last through the colder months. On the coast, seafood has always been a staple, while inland, people relied on what they could catch, grow, or harvest themselves. Hunting remains popular and the connection to a pastoral lifestyle is still strong, which is why plant-based eating is not as common as in other parts of Europe. But that’s not to say you can’t get along just fine on a plant-based diet. Related: In conversation with Irina Janakievska, author of The Balkan