Čvarci

Čvarci, also known as ocvirki, is a traditional dish popular in Southeastern Europe and the Balkans. This type of pork rinds or cracklings is typically made at home by thermally extracting fat from lard. Typically, the lard is cut into blocks and fried in its own fat until it melts away and only the tough and crispy pork rind remains in the pot.

Čvarci are constantly stirred with large spoons during the process, and milk is frequently added to give them the color of caramel. Typically, salt is added to the mixture, but some cooks like to add garlic or onions. Čvarci are typically made in late autumn or winter, often during pig slaughter, and are served as a snack with bread and raw onions, and paired with beer or rakija on the side.

Čvarci is frequently used in savory snacks such as pogačica s čvarcima.