Blitva s Krumpirom (Dalmatian Swiss Chard and Potatoes)
Local name: Blitva s krumpirom
In short: Swiss chard and potatoes boiled together, drained and tossed with garlic and plenty of olive oil, the classic Dalmatian side dish for fish. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 205 kcal
Blitva s krumpirom is the everyday side dish of the Dalmatian coast. Swiss chard and waxy potatoes are boiled in one pot, drained well and dressed with good olive oil and garlic, and nothing else is needed. It is served warm or at room temperature beside grilled or fried fish and roast meat. The quality of the oil is what makes it taste special.
Instructions
- Wash the chard in several changes of cold water. Cut the stems into 3 cm (1 1/4 in) pieces and roughly chop the leaves, keeping the two separate.
- Bring 2 liters (8 cups) of water and the salt to a boil in a large pot. Add the potatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the chard stems and cook for 5 minutes, then add the leaves and cook for 5 to 6 minutes more, until the potatoes are tender and the leaves are soft.
- Drain in a colander, pressing gently so the greens release their water. Return the vegetables to the warm pot.
- Warm the oil and garlic in a small pan over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant and barely golden. Do not let the garlic brown.
- Pour the garlic oil over the vegetables, add the pepper and salt to taste, and toss, crushing a few potato chunks with a fork so they soak up the oil. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Drain the vegetables very well. Extra water dilutes the oil, so press the greens in the colander for a full minute. The olive oil is the main seasoning, so use the best you have.
- On the coast this is served next to grilled or fried fish. It also keeps well and tastes good cold the next day with a squeeze of lemon.
Questions and answers
Can I use spinach instead of chard?
Yes, though spinach is milder and cooks in 2 minutes, so add it for the last few minutes of the potatoes. Kale also works, but needs about 10 minutes.
What is blitva?
Blitva is the Croatian word for Swiss chard. On the Dalmatian coast the name also means this dish of boiled chard and potatoes dressed with olive oil and garlic, served with fish and meat.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Cook and dress it up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Serve at room temperature or warm it gently with a spoonful of fresh olive oil.
How long does it take to make Blitva s Krumpirom (Dalmatian Swiss Chard and Potatoes)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Blitva s Krumpirom (Dalmatian Swiss Chard and Potatoes)?
About 205 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 205 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
