Cvarci
Encyclopedia
Čvarci (Serbian Cyrillic: Чварци / Чварак) is a specialty of west Balkan cuisine, a variant of pork rinds. They are a kind of pork 'crisps', with fat thermally extracted from the 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 countries from Southeastern Europe. They are usually homemade, with industrial production not as pronounced. In larger cities they can be obtained on farmer markets or in supermarkets.
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.
Recipes with čvarci include various sorts of pastry.
Čvarci are a kind of rustic countryside specialty, common to Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and lowland Pannonian regions of Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
.
They can also be found in other countries from Southeastern Europe. They are usually homemade, with industrial production not as pronounced. In larger cities they can be obtained on farmer markets or in supermarkets.
Preparation
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 ŠumadijaŠumadija
Šumadija is a geographical region in Serbia. The area is heavily covered with forests, hence the name...
region of central Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and especially around the town of Valjevo
Valjevo
Valjevo is a city and municipality located in western Serbia. It is the center of the Kolubara District, which includes five other smaller municipalities with a total population of almost 180,000 people...
. 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)
Geographical indication
A geographical indication is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin...
for 'Valjevski duvan čvarci' had been registered and protected in Serbian intellectual property office.
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.