Calçots: Everything You Need to Know About Them

If you are traveling to Barcelona and want to try one of Catalonia's typical dishes, we strongly recommend the calçots.

Calçots are a type of onion harvested from winter well into spring.

More than just a delicacy, it's a popular ritual. The so-called "calçotada" is when you gather with friends or family to eat calçots in the typical way.

The Origin of Calçots and How They Are Cooked:

It is typical of the Valls area (Tarragona) although it is widespread throughout the Catalan territory.

The cooking process is straightforward. They should be grilled to get direct fire. This way, the outer layers of the onion are completely charred, but the interior is perfectly cooked. To eat it, you should grab the inner stems with one hand and pinch the bottom with the other, thus extracting the charred part of the calçot.

But it's essential to note that calçots are an inseparable pair with the accompanying sauce called "salsa para calçots" or Romesco sauce. It consists of the following ingredients:

• Toasted hazelnuts.
• Toasted almonds.
• Arbequina olive oil.
• Ripe tomatoes (which will be roasted later).
• Garlic (raw and roasted).
• Red peppers.
• Parsley.
• Vinegar.
• Toasted bread.
• Salt.

Remember: without the sauce, a calçotada is not the same.

Obviously, the way of eating them may cause diners to get dirty, so it is common to equip ourselves with a large bib. This way, you can enjoy this wonderful delicacy without worrying about getting messy.

If you are traveling to Barcelona, we strongly recommend that you enjoy this gastronomic ritual.

Restaurants Where You Can Eat Calçots

Here are some 5 recommended restaurants to delight in a good calçotada:

• L'Antic Forn
• Can Vador
• Melic del Gòtic
• Restaurante Carmen

We hope you enjoy the experience.