Traditional Culture of the Mediterranean – Study and Presentation

Traditional culture of the Mediterranean includes with no exception, together with many other manifestations, food as well; its growing, its processing, its preparation and its consumption. As an everyday exigency, food is closely connected with many different human activities. In the years of shortage it would provoke processes of exceptional dynamics. Different cultural strata, which left their traces on the Mediterranean in the course of history, can be, by careful analysis, perceived in traditional nutritional habits of its residents even today. This paper presents the results of researches into the restricted area of the island Korčula, bearing special stress concerning peculiarities and differences of rural settlements and the only urban centre – the town Korčula. In the same time, the latest trends in promoting the “authentic cuisine” are discussed here. During the past years, the previous insuffi cient investigation of this segment of life has been remunerated with enlarged pressure on the presentation of the traditional island cuisine. It was motivated by touristiceconomic needs; however such a motivation asks for an additional precaution. Various manifestations in Croatian touristic destinations where food, mostly of traditional aspect, has the dominant role, are more and more frequent. Good communication between the professional and economic-touristic practice would defi nitely improve its study and its presentation as well.