What is the true way to eat calçots?

The tradition of eating calçots in Catalonia is a deep-rooted custom in the region. Calçots are a long, thin variety of onion, which are specially grown to be roasted and eaten with the hands. The calçot season runs from late December to early April.

The real way to eat calçots is by grilling them and then dipping them in a special sauce made from tomato, garlic and breadcrumbs.

What are calçots?

Calçots are a long, slender variety of onion, native to the region of Catalonia in Spain. This culinary delight is specially cultivated to be roasted and eaten with your hands. The calçot season lasts from late December to early April, during this season it is when its flavor and texture are optimal.

The origin of calçots dates back to the 19th century in the region of Valls, in Catalonia. A farmer named Xat de Benaiges discovered this onion variety by accident when he left some onions in the field during the winter. When she returned to growing them the following year, she noticed that they had grown much larger than normal and that their flavor was much milder and sweeter. Over time, this variety of onion began to be cultivated in a specific way and cooked in a particular way, roasting them on the grill and dipping them in a special sauce made from tomatoes, garlic and breadcrumbs.

What is the true way to eat calçots?

The real way to eat calçots is by grilling them and then dipping them in a special sauce made from tomato, garlic and breadcrumbs. Once cooked, they are served on large plates and eaten with your hands, first unrolling the top of the onion and then dipping it in the sauce. It is important to keep in mind that you should eat them with your hands, as this way you get a better sensory experience.

To consider that some calçots are good, their flavor and texture must be taken into account. Calçots should taste soft and sweet, and their texture should be tender and juicy. In addition, they must be properly cooked, since if overcooked they will become bitter and tough.

As we can see, eating calçots is a deep-rooted tradition in Catalonia and is a unique way to enjoy this delight. The real way to eat them is to roast them on the grill and immerse them in a special sauce, and calçots are considered to be good when they have a soft and sweet flavor, and a tender and juicy texture. It's a culinary experience that should be enjoyed with your hands and with friends or family.

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