Our top Valenican summer dishes!
As the temperature keeps rising in the Mediterranean, summer produce is starting to appear in the shops and our palates are craving fresh, zingy and tasty dishes. One of the best things about Valencia is its gastronomy as there is alwayss something delicious and fresh available. Valencian cuisine evolves with the seasons and never fails to serve up flavoursome recipes that will delight your taste buds throughout the year; and the summer is no exception.
If you are planning a foodie getaway to the region, you’ll want to know which dishes you simply can’t miss. Our blog this weeks gives you some of the best summer dishes served in the Region of Valencia that you should definitely seek out and try.
Ensalada Valenciana
An absolute must to have this summer! Meaning ‘Valencian salad’, ensalada valenciana is a dish that makes an appearance on every dining table during the summer months. Named after the produce sourced from the Valencian huerta, the salad combines lettuce, tomato, onion and often sliced olives and hard-boiled egg, and is dressed with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
Not just any tomato is used in this salad, the Valencians use the Tomato of El Perelló, which is cultivated in the Natural Park of l’Albufera. You can also add tuna, salt-cured tuna and anchovies to enhance the flavour and mix things up a bit. This simple and humble recipe makes the perfect lunch for a hot summer’s day.
Clóchinas
Clóchinas are a special variety of Mediterranean mussels, particularly famous in Valencia. It is said that clóchina season is the months without ‘r’ (May–August), as they are gathered from Valencia’s rafts from the full moon of April to the August waning moon. They have been raised on the city’s beaches since the 19th century, and it is the Mediterranean that gives this mollusc its special flavour and texture, tastier and more succulent than its ‘brother’ the mussel.
In Valencia, the traditional way to prepare them is steamed, cooked in their own juice, seasoned only with a little lemon and peppercorns. Garlic and oil, depending on your taste. They make a delicious tapa, flavourful and as healthy as can be, worthy of our Mediterranean diet, a local, seasonal product. What better recommendations?
During the summer months, these special mussels are available at markets and fishmongers, and at almost any restaurant in the city. Additionally, in the Cabanyal neighbourhood, there are stands selling small sacks of clóchinas by weight.
Sepia
As you can probably tell by now, Valenicans are really into their seafood! Sepia (cuttlefish) is a popular seafood dish in the region, often enjoyed in various preparations such as grilled, stewed, or added to rice dishes like paella. Sepia has a tender texture and a slightly sweet, delicate flavor.
Although Sepia is available year-round in Valencia, it´s particularly fresh and abundant during the warmer months. Fresh sepia can be found in abundance at local markets in Valencia, such as the Mercado Central. This market is one of the largest and most iconic in Europe, offering a wide variety of fresh seafood, including sepia, which is sourced directly from the nearby Mediterranean Sea.
Sepia a la Plancha is one of the most popular ways to prepare sepia in Valencia. The cuttlefish is marinated in olive oil, garlic, and parsley, then grilled to perfection. It’s often served as a tapa in bars and restaurants.
Horchata & Fartons
To round off a delicious lunch, stave off the heat or to satisfy a sweet tooth in the afternoon, there is nothing better than a horchata. This delicious drink is made from tiger nuts grown in Alboraya and is affectionately known asliquid gold. Unlike horchata in other parts of the world (like Mexico, where it’s made with rice, cinnamon, and milk), Valencian horchata is unique because of the use of tiger nuts.
The origins of horchata in Valencia date back to the time of the Moors, who brought tiger nuts to the region. Over centuries, it became a beloved beverage, especially during the hot summer months. The sweet taste of the tiger nuts is hard to put into words; the best thing is to order a chilled glass and try it for yourself.
The best way to enjoy this treat is to also get a couple of fartons (a pastry similar to an iced bun) and dip the fartons into the horchata, soaking up the drink and creating a perfect balance of flavors. The sweetness of the fartons complements the refreshing, slightly earthy taste of the horchata.
This list has only just scratched the surface of the delicious summer dishes you can enjoy in the Region of Valencia. There are plenty more local delicacies up and down the region which are ideal for hot days. Come along and treat your palate to some truly exquisite cuisine.
Make sure to stay tuned through our Facebook and Instagram pages, where we announce all the fun plans you can get up to this summer!
