Calçotadas: A Catalan Tradition
If you’re looking for something fun and unique to do while you’re in Barcelona, consider eating the traditional calçots. Calçots are a type of scallion grown during the winter.
The calçots are vine roasted and served in massive quantities. To eat the calçots, you hold the top of the scallion with one hand while you gently pull off the grilled outer layer of the vegetable with your other hand. You then dip the stem in romesco sauce, which is traditionally made from almonds or hazelnuts, roasted garlic, olive oil, and dried red peppers. To eat the calçot, tip your head back toward the sky, lower your calçot into your mouth, and enjoy!
Eating calçots is a Catalan tradition and one-of-a-kind experience. I recommend going to a calçotada, a restaurant that specializes in calçots. My favorite calçotada in Barcelona is Can Martí. Can Martí is located in northern Barcelona on Tibidabo and can be reached by hiking or taking the FCG. If you’re up for it, I would highly recommend the hike. It’s about an hour and a half hike up the Carretera de les Aigües and it offers breathtaking views of the city and the Mediterranean so remember to bring your camera.
Hopefully you’re good and hungry once you reach Can Martí. A calçotada at Can Martí costs about 32 € a head and is well worth it. During the meal, you’ll be provided with bottomless jugs of wine and bottles of bubbly water. Do as the locals and mix half wine and half bubbly water. You will also be provided with wine in a barron. You hold the barron away from your mouth (it is not allowed to touch your lips) and pour the wine into your mouth. Needless to say, this is a messy meal so be sure to wear the bibs provided.
First, you’ll be served pan con tomate, which you make yourself using toasted bread, halved tomatoes, fresh garlic, olive oil, and salt. Next come all you can eat calçots and bowls of the delicious romesco sauce. After you’ve had your fill of calçots, you´ll be served salad, mongetas (white beans with garlic), tortilla de patatas, and grilled potatoes with a garlic aioli sauce.
Next is the main course, the meats. You’ll be served huge platters of various grilled meats- lamb, sausages, rabbit, and more. At the end of the feast, you’re served desert and a coffee of your choice.
If you don’t think you can stomach the hike back down, it’s only a 10 minute walk to the nearest FCG stop.
