A Guide to the Gastronomic Delights of Ibiza
Ibiza is a food lover’s paradise. The white island is wonderfully fertile meaning that in most dishes only local – and seasonal - produce is used to create the unique tastes and flavours prepared by countless Ibicencas over the centuries and are now being served up in many of the island’s top restaurants.
Another crucial component to traditional Ibicencan food is seafood which is also in abundance on this haven of gastronomic delights.
The history of Ibicencan cuisine goes back to ancient times, when the Phoenicians introduced tuna. Figs, grapes, wine, and olives were then brought over to the island by the Romans, whilst the Arabs and Moors introduced rice, used as a basis for many Spanish dishes including paella.
A seaside cafe, hill-top taverna or first-class restaurant will never be far from your luxury villa in Ibiza where you will be able to sample an array of traditional fare. The choice of restaurants in Ibiza is huge, and there is something for everyone’s taste and fancy.
Alternatively when choosing your luxury villa to rent on Ibiza why not take a catered property were a chef is present and able to prepare the following dishes:
FISH is the backbone of most Ibicenco food. Typical dishes include:
• Burrida de ratjada, a dish with almonds
• Bullit, a fish and rice dish
• Bonito casserole, with fennel and capers
• Bull d’anfos, with grouper’s entrails and vegetables
• Paella, perhaps the most famous Spanish dish with mussels and chicken.
MEAT is also eaten in many local dishes. The meat used comes from locally raised pigs, sheep and chicken. Barbecues are common in beach-side restaurants and can be found in all our luxury villas to rent on Ibiza.
Amongst the most popular dishes are:
• Coques, square pasties filled with meat
• Catalan sausages, called sobresada and butifarra
• Arroz de matanzas, rice with pork
• Frita de porc, pork with peppers, potatoes and onions
• Sofrit pages, a dish of spiced pork, lamb and chicken with local sausages
• Guisado, a slow cooked soup with whole slices of meat
DESSERTS are very popular with the locals, and no meal is complete without one of the island’s sugary specialities. Indeed, you might find yourself picking up local habits and start to wander from your luxury villa in Ibiza every afternoon to a local café for a coffee and an ensaimdas, a spiral shaped pastries which are famous world-wide.
Other desserts include:
• Flao, a tart made of goat’s or sheep’s cheese with herbs and honey
• Orelletes, a small ear-shaped pastry
• Greixonera, a cinnamon pudding
• Magdalenas de Almendras, an almond cake
• Coca de Albaricoques, an apricot cake
Please visit our Villa Collection page for our full selection luxury villas to rent on Ibiza or contact us via phone, email or our onsite enquiry form.
Posted in our Blog - Tuesday, 03 May 2011 13:03
