The project dedicated to the valorisation of the traditional dessert Vrsar amaretti, implemented by the Vrsar Tourist Board, was awarded the Silver Charter of the national award “Suncokret ruralnog turizma Hrvatske – The Sunflower Award” in 2024, in the category of Traditional Rural Gastronomy.
This recognition is considered one of the most relevant national awards in the field of rural tourism, acknowledging projects focused on the preservation of authentic products, the sustainable use of local resources, and the interpretation of cultural and gastronomic heritage. The award confirms the value of an initiative that has successfully reintroduced an almost forgotten dessert from local culinary tradition as a distinctive element of the destination’s identity.
Prepared using hazelnuts as a characteristic ingredient of the local landscape and agricultural heritage, Vrsar amaretti today stand as an example of the successful revitalisation of a traditional recipe through contemporary models of interpretation and promotion. Through systematic research, active involvement of the local community, and the organisation of thematic gastronomic events, the project contributes to the preservation of intangible heritage and its integration into the tourism offer.
The award further highlights how the valorisation of local gastronomy can serve not only as a powerful tool for preserving cultural identity but also as a driver of sustainable destination development.
