Peka (Under the Bell)
Photo: Boris Kuhar · Public domain

History

Wikipedia says the sač probably comes from the saj, a curved metal utensil used in the Middle East and large parts of Asia, and that it is used today across the Balkans; lamb is its illustrated example. In Split, Konoba Varos lists peka of veal at €25, lamb at €27 and octopus at €32 among its house specialities, to be ordered three hours ahead, and Konoba Korta names peka, brudet and black risotto among its favourite dishes.

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Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 30 minTotal 3 hr 30 minDifficulty Advanced

Ingredients

  • 1.5kg lamb shoulder, on the bone, cut into 6 pieces
  • 1kg waxy potatoes, peeled and halved
  • 2 onions, quartered
  • 8 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 150ml olive oil
  • 200ml dry white wine
  • 2 sprigs rosemary, 4 bay leaves
  • Sea salt, black pepper

Method

  1. Heat oven to 220C/430F. In a heavy round roaster, put potatoes, onions, garlic, herbs.
  2. Salt and pepper the lamb. Lay on top of vegetables. Pour over olive oil and wine.
  3. Cover with a heavy lid (or two layers of foil tucked tightly). Roast 2.5 hours.
  4. Uncover; raise the heat to 250C/482F; roast 20 minutes to brown the lamb top.
  5. Rest 15 minutes before serving; spoon pan juices over the bread.

Tip from the editors. A peka has live coals on top of the lid; a heavy Dutch oven in a hot oven is the home approximation.

Where to eat peka (under the bell)

Peka (Under the Bell) in Split

Konoba Varos ★ 4.2

DalmatianVeli Varos

Konoba Varoš sits in the ancient part of Split at Ban Mladenova 9 and serves Peka (food under the bell), the highlight of traditional Dalmatian cuisine.

OrderPeka, roast veal or octopus, ordered three hours ahead.

TipThe Peka specialties, from roast veal to octopus, need three hours' advance ordering.

Directions

Konoba Korta ★ 4.4

DalmatianDiocletians Palace

Konoba Korta is an authentic Dalmatian konoba in Diocletian's Palace in the centre of Split, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

OrderThe peka, the brudet or the black risotto.

TipReserve a table online, or contact the konoba by phone or e-mail for reservations, enquiries or special occasions.

Directions

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