There are many products from the Costa Brava that have become internationally renowned. In this post we will focus on the most appreciated sea products: sea urchin, prawns, anchovies and rock fish. We tell you what they are, how and when they are caught and how these products are used. We are sure that you will be surprised!
Garoinas or sea urchins are one of the most appreciated mollusks on the seabed of the Costa Brava. They have a spherical shape and are covered with spikes. In Catalan they are known as garoines, garotes, uriços or eriçons de mar.
The part that is eaten is the five gonads inside, which are the genital glands that are in charge of making the reproductive cells. Although externally the males and females are the same, internally they differ because the male gonads are more yellow and release a white liquid, while the female ones are redder and tastier in the kitchen.
Garoine fishing is highly controlled. Its extraction is prohibited between April and September, which is when they reproduce, so it is only allowed to catch them during autumn and winter, in apnea by hand or with a traditional garotera. To be able to fish them for your own consumption, it is necessary to obtain a recreational fishing license and you can only catch a maximum of 150 sea urchins per person per day.
To eat them, you must separate the gonads from their base with a cut. This juicy, soft meat with a marked sea flavour is usually eaten raw, seasoned with a little lemon or served with toasted bread. A good occasion to taste them is at the Garoinada gastronomic festival, in Palafrugell (Baix Empordà).
You cannot talk about the marine products of the Catalan coast without mentioning the prawns. Its exterior has an intense red colour and its meat is fine and tasty, which is due to its diet based on algae and minerals from the Mediterranean Sea.
Although these crustaceans are also caught in Blanes (La Selva), Arenys de Mar (Maresme) or Roses (Alt Empordà), the most popular are the Palamós prawns, caught between Cape Begur and the Ridaura stream in Platja d'Aro (Baix Empordà). It is said that they are one of the best in the world for their strong and sweet flavour.
During the 1950s, fishermen introduced the technique of trawling and shrimp fishing gained considerable weight in the Costa Brava fishermen's associations until it reached the international renown and recognition it has today. Due to the strong impact of this fishing technique on the seabed, during the months of January to March it is prohibited to fish using trawling to protect the seabed and protect this species.
The best way to taste them is lightly grilled with a little salt, pepper, and olive oil. Also noteworthy is its preparation in a fish stew (typical dish of the fishermen of the Catalan coast) and carpaccio or tartare.
One of the best-known seafood products on the Costa Brava are anchovies, salted anchovies. It is blue fish, very tasty and with an intense flavour, popular for its high content of Omega 3, which helps reduce cholesterol levels.
The municipality of l'Escala is especially known for its anchovies. Anchovies from L’Escala (in Catalan, anxoves de l'Escala) require meticulous preparation: they are cleaned, the bone and interiors are removed, leaving only the fillets, and they are prepared by salting, a technique introduced by the Greek and Roman colonies. who settled on the peninsula to preserve the ingredients for longer. Before eating, they must be washed with water to remove excess salt.
It is an ingredient that allows numerous combinations and does not require excessive handling. It can be eaten alone, seasoned with a little olive oil, or accompanied by toasted bread with tomato, although they are also often added to salads, cocas de recapte (salted coca typical of Catalonia), or pizzas.
Rockfish is the most traditional gastronomic element of Begur (Baix Empordà). On the rocky and sandy shores of this town on the Costa Brava you can find a great diversity of fish.
We understand rockfish as a group of species that live in shallow waters and on rocky outcrops. They measure about six inches in length, have a large head, an orange colour on the outside.
They have many thorns and that makes them not appreciated at the table. Its meat is firm and it has a great flavor and a strong smell of the sea, which is why they are perfect for preparing broths, suquets, or other stews. Some of the most used fish are the red scorpionfish, the monkfish, the grouper, the cuckoo, the imperial sardinian or the black croaker.
Traditionally, rock fish was considered a fish for the poor. Being difficult to sell, it became part of the diet of fishermen. Currently, this humble fish, to be eaten slowly and with great care for its bones, has reached the most prestigious kitchens, acquiring the category of luxury dish.
If you want to discover which are the most outstanding products of the Costa Brava, take a look at our post.
Come discover the gastronomy of the Costa Brava with Rosamar Hotels! We have five hotels located on the Costa Brava, in the town of Lloret de Mar, ideal for getaways as a couple, and holidays with family, or friends.
Hotel Rosamar Garden Resort, Hotel Rosamar & Spa, and Hotel Rosamar Maritim are perfect hotels for family holidays. They are very close to the Lloret de Mar beach and have all kinds of services for children and adults.
Hotel Rosamar Es Blau Adults Only (+16) and Hotel Rosamar Maxim Adults Only (+18) are adults-only hotels, designed for holidays without children. They are located very close to the beach and their services are geared towards the enjoyment of adults.
In addition, in our accommodations, you can enjoy a varied gastronomic offer that will satisfy all kinds of palates and will allow you to discover authentic local gastronomy. Do not miss it!
The Costa Brava is not only known for its beaches. Its products and gastronomy are world-renowned for their quality and flavour. If you're a foodie and you've never heard about the traditional products of the Costa Brava, keep reading because you will love this post.
The province of Girona is one of the main gastronomic and wine enotourism destinations in the country. The Empordà area, in the north of the province, is distinguished with the Denomination of Origin (DO) Empordà seal quality for its red, white and rosé wines, besides the varieties such as Grenache.
Although autumn begins in September, in Catalonia there are two celebrations that mark the arrival of this season. In addition to All Saints’ Day, the Catalans celebrate la Castanyada, a day in which people roast and eat chestnuts. During these dates, a traditional sweet made with a marzipan base called panellets are also eaten.
If there is something we enjoy so much about Christmas as spending quality time with our family and friends it is the food. During this time of year, some traditional dishes are made in Catalonia that you may not know yet but that you will soon be looking forward to trying.
The province of Girona is a place of reference for gastronomy lovers. This 2022, thirteen restaurants in Girona have been awarded a star in the Michelin Guide. Discover which restaurants we are talking about and start planning your gastronomic getaway in the province of Girona.
The Costa Brava, besides to its spectacular beaches and coves, presume its own gastronomy. Some of the most emblematic dishes are only served in a few towns, while others can be found in almost the entire north of the Catalan coast. Discover here the best dishes of the Costa Brava!
Summer vacations are essential to create unforgettable moments with our loved ones and what better way to do it than spending quality time with them. After spending the day at the beach, we all want to stop to rest and recharge our batteries or go out to show off our tan on a terrace. In this post, we discover the best beach bars to have a drink or snack in Lloret de Mar and the Costa Brava.
This popular cocktail made with white rum, lemon juice and sugar was popularised at the Floridita bar in La Havana, Cuba. The Lloret-born Constantí Ribalaigua i Vert refined the daiquiri recipe to the point of perfection being praised by the selfsame Ernest Hemingway.
Ratafia is one of the most traditional drinks in Catalonia. This liquor is especially popular during the last months of the year, when it is taken as an aperitif or with dessert at Christmas meals. Discover what ingredients does it have, how it is made and, if you want to know more or try it, don't miss the Ratafia Festival in Santa Coloma de Farners.
Autumn is here and, with it, some gastronomic products that we can only find during this time of the year. In the region of Girona, the season of mushrooms, salsify, or chestnuts, among others, has already started. Discover them in this post!
Calçotades are a centuries-old gastronomic tradition whose protagonists are the calçots. They are not just a meal, but rather an excuse to celebrate a gathering with family or friends in the open air. Keep reading and discover how to celebrate a good calçotada!
Lloret de Mar’s city council has organized a cycle of gastronomic experiences with showcooking, wine tasting and a daiquiri and tapas workshop led by the best local talent in the field of gastronomy at the Lloret de Mar’s local market to publicize the comprehensive remodelling that will be carried out this 2023. Do not miss it!