Beetroot Risotto: The Vegetarian Dish Hvar Didn't Know It Needed
Our beetroot risotto proves that vegetarian eating on Hvar doesn't mean settling. Rice, beetroot and parmesan, done right, at Marigo Grill and Chill on the Hvar Riva.
Vegetarian restaurants are rare in Dalmatia. That doesn't mean vegetarian food is.
The dish
Beetroot risotto: arborio rice cooked low and slow in vegetable stock, folded with roasted beetroot and finished with a heavy hand of aged parmesan. The beetroot turns the rice deep crimson, which gets attention when it arrives at the table. It tastes earthy, slightly sweet, and rich from the cheese. It's not pretending to be anything other than what it is.
Why it works on a seafood island
Most vegetarian options on Hvar are salads or pasta with a vegetable sauce. Nothing wrong with either, but they feel like afterthoughts. A risotto takes 25 minutes and requires attention. We make ours properly because we think the people who eat it deserve the same care as the people ordering sea bass.
A note on the vegetarian menu at Marigo
We have more vegetarian options than most restaurants on the island: Toast California, Hell Eggs, omelettes, tortillas, fitness granola, all three smoothies, a veggie burger, pasta Pomodoro, pasta Pesto alla Genovese, watermelon salad, caprese, Greek salad, veggie salad, and several risotto options. Gluten-free options are marked on the menu and filterable online.
Come hungry
The beetroot risotto is a full portion. Eat it as a main, take your time, and order a glass of Bogdanusa white wine alongside. The match is better than it sounds.
Written from the kitchen at Marigo Grill & Chill, Hvar.
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