Nonina kanavaca

Nonina kanavaca is a unique Istrian dish that is prepared as a savory strudel filled with spinach, prosciutto, garlic, ground beef, eggs, and cheese. The word kanavaca is derived from the Italian word canavaccio, which means kitchen cloth, referring to an unusual way in which this dish is made. The dough is prepared with flour, eggs, salt, and a bit of water. It is then thinly rolled and filled with a combination of shortly boiled spinach, prosciutto pieces, garlic, sautéed ground beef, eggs, and grated cheese. The strudel is rolled to resemble a snail, and is then placed in the kitchen cloth. The cloth is tied into a knot, and a wooden kitchen spoon is traditionally inserted through the knot so that the whole thing can be placed over a pot filled with boiling water. After the dish has been properly cooked, it is taken out of the kitchen cloth, sliced, and topped with a flavorful tomato sauce consisting of onions, garlic, water, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. It is recommended to garnish the dish with grated parmesan and pair it with a glass of red wine.