A _calçotada_ is one of those things you wouldn’t necessarily know about unless you had been living in the Barcelona area for a while, or if you were chummy with the locals. These gastronomic feasts – which are typical of the Catalonia region – are usually held between January and March, as winter approaches its final months. A traditional _calçotada_ involves consuming hundreds of _calçots_, a large variety of grilled meats, and of course – red wine. You’ll want to arrive to these large-scale barbecues with an empty stomach and a large appetite.
How to eat calçots?
The calçots – which are like giant green onions – are placed tightly together on a grill and are charred, leaving their interiors soft and creamy. They are typically wrapped and bundled in newspaper and brought to the table. Once they arrive, it’s a free-for-all. Because of the mess involved with peeling off the outside layer of the calçot and dipping the end into a delectable romesco sauce (roasted red peppers and almonds), restaurants usually provide guests with large bibs to keep their outfits clean. Some even go as far as to offer plastic gloves!
Once you’ve eaten as many calçots as you can, out come the grilled meats – lamb, chicken, and sausages of all kinds. Generally, when attending a calçotada in the countryside, the restaurant charges a flat fee which includes unlimited food and drink. You can expect to leave a calçotada in great spirits as there is never a shortage of delicious wine from the region. If you want to get even more traditional, you can drink from a porró, which is a distinctive wine receptacle designed in Catalonia. The seasoned porró drinker makes it looks easy, but it’s advised to start with the spout close to the mouth at first as to avoid even more mess.
When these beloved onions are in season, you’ll find them on many menus in various forms, but we still think the original way is best. If you want to try calçots as they were intended to be eaten, try searching in small towns outside of Barcelona for a real authentic experience. The calçotoda de Valls is one of the most famous celebrations and the town itself is where calçots come from.
Have you ever attended a calçotada in or around Barcelona? Did you ever think you would find onions so delicious?
Where to eat calçots in Barcelona
Now then, you may ask “are all calçotadas created equal?” Probably not. The best calçotadas are usually in rural masías (country houses) or restaurants, but they’re not always the easiest to get to without a car. We’ve selected a few of our favourite spots around the city where you can enjoy an authentic calçotada
Taverna el Glop
Located in the neighbourhood of Gràcia, this cozy Mediterranean tavern serves typical Catalan fare, paella, fish dishes, Catalan wines and of course – calçots when in season!
El Jardí de l’Àpat
El Jardí de l’Àpat proves that you don’t need to leave the city to have a nice calçotada on a terrace. This place specializes in calçotadas and if you get the menu for about €30, you’ll be able to eat all the calçots you want, with a selection of grilled meats, pan con tomate, dessert, and drinks, all included in the price. Located just near Park Güell, you’ll also enjoy gorgeous views of the city.
Font de les Planes
Outdoor seating and woodland views are what you’ll find at this restaurant in Sant Cugat (which is reachable by the FGC from Plaça Catalunya or Gràcia). They also have the option to bring your own food and rent out one of the grills if you feel like it!
L’Antic Forn
Smack-dab in the centre of the city, you’ll find l’Antic Forn – it’s just off of La Rambla on Carrer Pintor Fortuny in the neighbourhood of Raval. This cozy old-timey place serves Catalan dishes and offers a full calçotada menu with all you can eat calçots. Yum!
Posted in Culture, Eat and Drink
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