Gran Festa de Calçots in Valls
On the last Sunday of January, the small town of Valls, in the heart of Catalonia, attracts thousands of visitors for the annual Gran Festa de Calçots. This festival is dedicated to the calçot, a typical Catalan dish made from spring onions. For lovers of local gastronomy and culture, the calçotada is an event not to be missed.
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The magic of the calçot
What makes the calçot so special? These long, slender onions are grown in the fertile soils of inland Catalonia. They have a sweet, mild flavour that sets them apart from ordinary onions. During the calçotada, the calçots are roasted over large fires in all the squares of Valls until the outside is completely burnt and blackened. This process gives the calçots a unique smoky flavour and makes them deliciously soft on the inside. The Ritual of the Calçotada
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The smell of burning wood and roasted calçots fills the air as we watch the calçots being roasted on huge fires. Once the calçots are cooked, the real party begins. You peel off the charred skin of the calçots, dip the soft insides in romesco sauce (a delicious sauce made from roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic and olive oil) and eat them as you would a herring: grabbing them by the stem and sliding them in. Eating calçots is a delightfully messy affair, and it is not unusual to wear an apron and even gloves to avoid getting black fingers or your clothes covered in sauce.
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A feast for all the senses
The calçotada is not just a culinary feast, but also a social event. It is accompanied by lots of cava and the conviviality of local folklore. Traditional dances and music are performed in the squares of Valls, and you can enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Calçotada. A unique way to experience local culture and hospitality.
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The start of the calçot season
The Gran Festa de Calçots marks the official start of the calçot season, which lasts until Easter. During this period, calçots are served in many restaurants in Catalonia. So if you are spending a holiday at Torre Nova Resort in spring, make sure you don't miss the chance to enjoy this delicious dish.
Calçotada at Torre Nova Resort
We also have our own calçotadas at Torre Nova, where the calçots come from our own grounds. They are cooked on a large BBQ and served with lamb chops, chorizo, toasted bread and cava, under blue skies and pleasant spring conditions, in January :-).
