Murcia cuisine

Already Mark Portius Cato Sr. mentioned in his essay De re rustica a typical Murcia meat pie. In the Roman period , the first olive plantations and factories for the production of garum and salted fish arose.

Murcia adopted many Arab influences from Andalusian cuisine . During the time of Al-Andalus , an extensive irrigation system was built near the Segura River, which led to the expansion of the agricultural sector. Typical Andalusian cuisine, eggplant , artichoke , zucchini and garlic dishes have firmly established their position in the Murcia cuisine. Mohama , typical of Murcia dried in a salt fillet of tuna , also came from Andalusia.

With the discovery of America , red peppers and tomatoes became popular products of Murcia cuisine.

A number of Murcia products have a protected geographical status : Murcia cheese , Murcia wine , pear from Jumilla , Kalasparra rice, Murcia paprika .

Fruits and Vegetables

The Huerta de Murcia area has large vegetable and fruit plantations. First of all, stone fruits , citrus fruits , legumes and vegetables are grown here. Chard is popular among vegetables. Dishes like Murcia salad , vegetable and bean stews , and sarangolo ( scrambled eggs with zucchini, onions, and sometimes potatoes) are popular in the area.

For winter, hearty Eintopfs from legumes ( cosido ) with the addition of jamon , chorizo and other meat products are characteristic. Pumpkin and green beans are also popular. Among potato dishes, baked potatoes are in great demand.

Varieties grown in the region are popular among fruits: plums, apricots, peaches, figs, oranges, lemons, tangerines. Sweet paparahotes pies are baked from lemon leaves.

In the interior of the region, the climate is more continental ; cereals , legumes ( chickpeas , lentils , hub beans), olives, almonds and grapes are grown here .

Rice dishes (usually round) are also typical of the Murcia region: rice with vegetables, cauliflower and anchovies , seafood, potatoes and sausages. Of particular note is the paella , which is usually cooked with seasonal products (artichokes, bell peppers, fish, seafood).

Meat and fish

In coastal areas, primarily fish dishes and seafood are popular. Mar Menor is a supplier of shrimp , red mullet , dorado and mullet . Along the entire Mediterranean coast, a variety of fish is being hunted. A variety of recipes from fish and seafood forms the basis of the cuisine of the coastal areas. Fish caviar , cooked in various ways, is also widely used in food. Meatballs are made from bakalyau . Mohammed salted tuna fillet is also popular.

Meat dishes are prepared both from game (for example, rabbit meat), and from pork or lamb . Typical dishes are numerous sausages, rice with rabbit meat and snails , fried lamb leg, Humilian gazpacho , gachamiga with sardines or meat, olita chitana ( cosido with the addition of pears). A cooked lamb head is often placed on a Christmas table. One of the delicacies is considered Murcia meat pie .

Drinks and desserts

The wines of the Murcia region are not popular among Spanish wines . The wine regions include Jumilla, Yecla , Bullas , Abanilla and Campo de Cartagena .

Among sweet dishes, it is worth noting honey, marmalade , almond desserts, Calatrava bread ( pudding ) and paparahotes .

• Spanish cuisine
• Andalusian cuisine