If you enjoy a warm and hearty casserole during these cooler winter days (well, cooler by Costa del Sol standards) then we highly recommend you take a quick trip down to Fuengirola for their annual ‘Cazuela de la Abuela’ (Grandma’s Casserole) event which starts this weekend.
From the 8th March to the 24th March, locals and visitors to Fuengirola will be able to sample tasty traditional Mediterranean casserole dishes – including yummy ‘lentejas’ and ‘callos’- just like the local’s Grandmas used to make (or still do!).
This unique gastronomic event aims to boost the local restaurant scene during these quieter winter months and showcase the high-quality cuisine visitors can enjoy in many of the city’s best bars, taverns and restaurants. It’s a great way to recover old traditional recipes which form the heart of Andalusian and Spanish cooking and focusing on those mouth-watering casseroles Grandma makes.
This is now the 8th edition of this popular gastronomic contest and there are 58 establishments taking part, 10 of which are new to the event! This proves the success of the initiative and we should be in for a culinary treat 🙂 For just 2€, you’ll be able to dig into a tasty casserole tapa accompanied by a cool glass of beer, a glass of ‘vino’ or a refreshment.
You’ll have just over two weeks to visit these 58 restaurants and bars and sample a whole selection of mini casserole tapas. Each establishment has to prepare a specific dish which will be entered into the contest so you’ve got quite a few ‘cazuelas’ to choose from. This year novelty is that there will recipes from different countries including, France, Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Japan, Ireland, India, Argentina, Poland, Mexico and China.
It’s traditional to issue special ‘passports’ during the contest where you will be able to collect stamps from all the restaurants you visit and tapas you taste. If you collect five different stamps and hand in your passport at the Tourism Office you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win some fantastic prizes (see below) Just remember that you have to mark off your favourite casserole as the participating restaurants will be competing for the coveted prize of the ‘Cazuela de Oro’ (Golden Casserole).
These ‘passports’ can be obtained at all participating establishments as well as the Town Hall, Casa de la Cultura and the Tourist Office. The passports are also very handy as they come with a map which pinpoints all the restaurants and bars taking part in the contest and will make finding them a lot easier.
Participants who fill in their ‘passports’ and hand them in at the Tourist Office will receive a small surprise gift for their efforts (until stocks last) and will be entered into the prize draw to win fabulous prizes including a 43″ LCD TV, weekends away, hotel stays and meals in many of the establishments taking part in the event.
Who fancies some delicious home-made casseroles washed down with a glass of Rioja or a cool glass of cerveza?
We’re certainly up for it… see you at the Cazuela de la Abuela 🙂
