Prompting the palate

The cuisine of Vilafranca retrieves the flavors of the region

It is impossible to taste any of the dishes offered in the region of Penedes not tempted to join him by one of its prestigious wines and champagnes. The first impulse, however, should not divert attention from a cuisine rich in contrasts that finds its raison d'etre in the quality of native products and in the liturgy of their preparation.

A local specialties, such as the Black Rooster or the Dumb Duck of Penedes, join with those produced vegetables and seasonal vegetables, and fish from the nearby coast of Garraf.

Among the desserts, the traditional turrones of Christmas, the Coques of Vilafranca and the catànies, a sweet almond-coated chocolate that can be found in all the bakeries in the city, are the stars. The wide offer of pastries are sometimes intertwined with the textures of their fruit, like peach or cherry, giving it a special touch.

Cock's fair, the weekend before Christmas, it's a good opportunity to immerse yourself in the cuisine of the Penedes. During those two days Vilafranca retrieves the legacy of the ancient markets of birds, where it exhibited the best specimens that would later be cooked, and visitors find samples of the broad Mediterranean diet.

Soon after, at the beginning of the year, Vilafranca celebrates the Festival of Xató. This is a relatively recent event that has already become a benchmark for gourmet countrymen and tourists. The xatò is a salad that mixes products from the countryside to the sea and it is traditional for the districts of Garraf and Penedes. The original route of Xató begins in Sitges to travel a total of five locations which in turn have five different forms of carrying out the same plate. During the Festa of Xató it is possible to test all varieties at once.

No comments yet