The Turopolje pig is an ancient breed that originated from the wild European pig and was first mentioned in writings in the 14th century. Its distinct features include thick, curly, and bristling cream-coloured hair with dark spots and large, semi-plucked ears. This breed has been nourishing generations for centuries and used to dominate the oak forests of the area. Unfortunately, by the end of the 20th century, it almost became extinct and is still considered a critically endangered species today. Nonetheless, revitalisation programs have helped this breed's population to grow gradually. It's hard to imagine that there were only five specimens of this pig at one point. One of the reasons for their close brush with extinction is that they do not thrive in industrial cultivation indoors. They require forest nutrition and movement and take two years to reach maturity. However, these facts make this breed highly valued, particularly from a gastronomic standpoint.
The city of Velika Gorica and the municipality of Turopolje are collaborating on programs to promote the breeding of Turopolje pigs and the marketing of their meat products. Furthermore, they aim to establish Turopolje Pig as a well-known brand in the restaurants of Zagreb County. To achieve this, the Zagreb County Tourist Board and Baltazar Zaprešić Polytechnic have partnered to hold a workshop in Biograd na Moru, led by renowned chefs Tomislav Špiček and Raul Lajtman.
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