Do you know the tradition of the calçots? In Catalonia there are many types of traditions, but one of the best known is the art of the calçotada, a gastronomic experience that goes beyond the palates.
The calçot is a variety of tender white onion native to Valls, in Tarragona, which is grown by wedging its base with soil so that the onion stretches in search of light. This process is repeated 2 or 3 times during its cultivation until a long white part, between 15cm and 25cm, is obtained.
From January to April, many families, friends, couples, gather to enjoy a nice and fun day together with the main reason to make a calçotada, which consists of cooking the star ingredient, the calçots, grilled or grilled with live flame of vine shoots and wrapped with newspaper before eating them to keep them warm. Normally, this is accompanied by meat and other vegetables, to finally end up making a barbecue.
The calçot is a variety of tender white onion native to Valls, in Tarragona, which is grown by wedging its base with soil so that the onion stretches in search of light. This process is repeated 2 or 3 times during its cultivation until a long white part, between 15cm and 25cm, is obtained.
To eat the calçots as tradition dictates, it is necessary to add the final touch: the romesco sauce. The romesco sauce, composed mainly of almond, hazelnut and tomato, is the key to a good calçotada’s success. But it doesn’t end here, the experience encompasses many other things. Before eating this delicacy, to avoid ending up covered with calçot, you must put on a bib and, if you wish, some transparent plastic gloves. Then, you must take the calçot and peel it by gently pressing its tip and pulling up the green leaf that remains, and finally dipping it in the romesco sauce.
History of the calçots
The history of calçots dates back to the late twentieth century in Valls, where a farmer named Xat de Benaiges inadvertently burned several onions in the fire he was going to eat. Instead of throwing them away, the farmer peeled and ate them, and was surprised to realize their sweet flavor and tender texture. Thus, it ended up becoming a common food in every house in the area.
However, a painting from Roman times (3rd century) has now been found in Hungary showing a slave man eating a porrus capitatus (a calçot). After restoring and studying the painting, the archaeologist László Borhy came to the conclusion that the man in the painting was holding a tray with one hand and tasting a calçot in the other.
Restaurants where to eat calçots in Barcelona
Besides organizing your own calçotada at home or in a farmhouse, Barcelona also offers calçotada menus in different restaurants in the city. Here is a list of the top restaurants to eat calçots in Barcelona:
– Mussol:
The famous Catalan chain of traditional food restaurants never fails. It offers a very varied offer, for 34€ it includes 20 calçots and grilled Montseny sausage with Santa Pau beans and potato al caliu, or Montseny peasant chicken, with its Catalan cream for dessert and drink included. You can also opt for the vegetarian menu, consisting of calçots, vegetables and salad.
– Disbarat:
In this typical restaurant in the district of Gracia, you can satisfy your stomach for 28,50€. From organic farming, you will taste exquisite charcoal-grilled calçots with romesco sauce and toasted bread. And for the main course, you can choose between butifarra sausage, beef entrails, grilled lamb or cod. You will find homemade desserts such as crema catalana and cottage cheese, and the drink is included.
– Restaurant Carmen:
For 34,90€ you can enjoy some good calçots with bread with tomato, aioli and the famous romesco sauce, accompanied by a complete grilled meat grill with potatoes and beans, with homemade desserts and drink included.
– Can Vador:
Its traditional calçots menu for 35€ with a grilled meat grill with Duroc Iberian secret, Vall-Romanes sausage and Teruel lamb, accompanied by romesco sauce is not to be missed.
– Can Travi Nou:
And finally, we could not miss an urban farmhouse where you can make a calçotada without leaving the city. With a luxury menu for 43€, you will taste a coca del Maresme on tomato and olive oil, with its calçots and grilled meat (generous, with chicken, sausage, black pudding, grilled lamb and sausage Garriga, with beans and baked potato) wine and desserts. To finish the meal, crema catalana. Coffees and infusions are included.
