Istrian boskarin beef dishes – a highlight of the local cuisine
When speaking about Istrian cuisine, we must mention dishes made from Istrian oxen known as boškarin. Boškarin is the name of the Istrian ox that was used as a working animal until approximately sixty years ago; today the meat of this ox is the main ingredient of certain specialities of Istrian cuisine. Over the last fifteen years, the boškarin has been saved from extinction thanks to the efforts of the local authorities and an initiative of the local people.
Today, the breeding of this type of ox and the production of its meat represents an important part of the Istrian economy and its tourism offer. The specially prepared meat can only be found in top restaurants and taverns whose chefs have been specially trained in preparing dishes using the meat of this unique ox. One of the licensed chefs for the preparation of boškarin dishes is Davor Capan, chef at the Hotel Ambasador in Opatija.