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Few Barcelona meals are fairly as legendary as calçots. Not solely are these distinctive, seasonal veggies indisputably scrumptious, however they’re additionally a logo of Catalan tradition and have impressed the custom of calçotadas, a kind of calçot-themed BBQ.
I’ve talked about calçots a couple of instances on my Barcelona meals excursions, however on this article, I’ll dive somewhat deeper into these treasured treats. Along with offering private experiences and ideas, I’ll reply all of the incessantly requested questions on calçots and element the perfect locations to get pleasure from them!
What Are Calçots—and What Is a Calçotada?
Photograph credit score: Wikimedia Commons licensed underneath Attribution 2.0 Generic (no adjustments made)
A calçots is a particular kind of inexperienced onion or scallion. Though they develop in numerous elements of the world, they’re most carefully related to Catalonia. They’re delicate in taste and much like typical inexperienced onions, although they are typically a tad sweeter and juicier.
Calçots season usually lasts from November to April, although January to March is the perfect time to immerse your self on this Catalan custom. In the event you’re in Barcelona in January, you’ll even have a chance to attend the Gran Fiesta de la Calçotada, an annual calçotada competition in Valls.
Briefly, a calçotada is a calçot BBQ, the place these well-known onions are entrance and heart. Extra than simply your common grill-out, calçotadas are all about group and tucking into freshly cooked calçots with tangy romesco sauce. As a rule, the calçots are additionally accompanied by wine and different regional dishes.
Historical past and Origins of Calçots
Photograph credit score: Fernando Jiménez licensed underneath Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic
Calçots have been a delicacy in Catalonia because the latter finish of the nineteenth century, once they have been found in Valls.
Because the story goes, a farmer referred to as Xat de Benaiges was experimenting with cultivation strategies. He determined to cowl these spring onions with increasingly more soil as they grew, in a course of referred to as ‘calçar.’
Catalans quickly fell in love with the calçots that resulted, a lot in order that shared eating experiences centering round them turned considerably of a ritual. By the Eighties, these developed into large-scale occasions. By the early 2000s, calçots had achieved Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) standing.
How Calçots Are Ready and Eaten
When ready within the conventional approach, calçots are cooked over a charcoal grill till the stems are virtually utterly blackened. They’re then wrapped in newspaper and served with a romesco sauce, often known as salvitxada, a daring sauce constructed from peppers, tomato, garlic, almonds, and olive oil.
After the calçots are left to relaxation for a couple of minutes, they’ll be able to eat. Begin by peeling away the charred outer layer and dipping the stalk into the sauce earlier than tilting your head and reducing the onion into your mouth.
Conventional calçotada menus may even embody a spread of different culinary favorites, from botifarra sausage and grilled meats to wealthy crema Catalana and chilled cava.
The place to Eat Calçots in Barcelona: Finest Eating places and Masías
3 Focs
Photograph credit score: 3 Focs
3 Focs is an excellent trendy eatery that gives distinctive service and genuine Catalonian flavors. I used to be lucky to go to throughout the calçot season, and immediately fell in love with their delicate taste and the way it contrasted with the zingy romesco sauce. In the event you don’t have a reservation, I counsel coming for lunch slightly than dinner.
3 Focs – 08007 Barcelona – Open day-after-day from 1:00 pm to 12:00 am.
Fonda Can Portell
Photograph credit score: Fonda Can Portell
For a traditional Calçotada expertise, I can’t advocate the cozy, brick-clad eating space at Fonda Can Portell sufficient. Together with the tender calçots, my mates and I feasted on grassy grilled lamb and velvety cream Catalana, which collectively made for the right night meal.
Fonda Can Portell – 08014 Barcelona – Open each Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and each Friday and Saturday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Can Cortada
Photograph credit score: Can Cortada
Can Cortada is about in a masía, an expansive country-style manor with an elegant, old-world vibe. They provide an beautiful calçotada menu in essentially the most conventional of environment. I counsel arriving right here hungry to completely respect the beneficiant servings of subtly candy calçots, savory botifarra, and succulent grilled hen!
Can Cortada – 08035 Barcelona – Open each Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday from 1:00 pm to three:30 pm and from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm, closed each Tuesday.
Can Travi Nou
Photograph credit score: Can Travi Nou
I uncovered a number of the most interesting calçots in Barcelona at Can Travi Nou, a conventional restaurant inside a country but stylish farmhouse. They have been so delicate and paired so completely with the punchy romesco sauce. Whereas I used to be impressed by all the dishes that adopted, the calçots most undoubtedly stole the present.
Can Travi Nou – 08035 Barcelona – Closed each Monday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 1:00 pm to three:30 pm and from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and each Sunday from 1:00 pm to three:30 pm.
The place to Purchase Recent Calçots in Barcelona
If you wish to fill up on contemporary calçots in Barcelona and check out your hand at getting ready them and romesco sauce your self, there are many locations to do exactly that. Beneath are a number of the prime markets and locations to purchase calçots.
- Mercat de Santa Caterina: This buzzing spot has all of the necessities for a calçot-filled feast.
- Mercat de la Terra: Referred to as the gradual meals market, this weekly affair is a implausible place for contemporary produce, together with calçots once they’re in season.
- Europa Barbacoa: Safe a BBQ rental with tables and chairs and cook dinner up your personal calçots on this bustling outside eatery.
Ideas for Planning Your Calçot Expertise
- Calçots are seasonal greens out there from November to April, so it’s important to plan accordingly on your spring or winter go to to Catalonia.
- Peak season for calçots in Barcelona runs from late January to early March. Throughout this time, advance reserving is a should.
- Look out for experiences with a personal tour information to get a greater understanding of the importance of calçots in Barcelona.
- When selecting your tour or calçotada expertise, take into account people who incorporate different native favorites and calçotada staples, comparable to crema Catalana or cava glowing wine.
- Consuming calçots in Barcelona generally is a slightly messy encounter, so it’s finest to keep away from sporting your most interesting apparel!
Bonus: Day Journey to Valls – The Coronary heart of Calçotada Tradition
Photograph credit score: Wikimedia Commons licensed underneath Attribution 3.0 Unported
Valls, positioned only one hour from Barcelona, is the place the calçotada traditions started. Nowadays, it’s the house of the Gran Fiesta de la Calçotada, an annual celebration of those fabled inexperienced onions that takes place each January. You’ll discover every little thing from calçot-eating contests and grower awards to mouthwatering avenue BBQs at this beloved occasion.
Sources:
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals information: What & the place to eat in Barcelona. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/barcelona-food/
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals excursions. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/barcelona/
3 Focs. (n.d.). 3 Focs restaurant. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://3focs.com/en/
Fonda Can Portell. (n.d.). Fonda Can Portell. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://www.fondacanportell.cat/
Can Cortada. (n.d.). Can Cortada restaurant. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://cancortada.com/en/
Can Travi Nou. (n.d.). Can Travi Nou restaurant. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://cantravinou.com/es/
Mercat de Santa Caterina. (n.d.). Mercat de Santa Caterina. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://mercatsantacaterina.com/
Mercat de la Terra. (n.d.). Mercat de la Terra Barcelona. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from https://mercatdelaterra.barcelona/El País+1Cadena SER+1
Europa Barbacoa. (n.d.). Europa Barbacoa. Retrieved Might 10, 2025, from http://www.europabarbacoa.es/Vogue+3WIRED+3El País+3
