Calçots Safari to Catalonia

In March 2024, La Table des Amis de Provence offered “Calçots Safari to Catalonia” to members and friends.

The origin of the calçot and its cooking method is in the town of Valls, Catalonia. They are grilled over a hot fire, wrapped up in newspaper and eaten, after peeling with bare hands, by dipping them one by one in salvitxada sauce (made with almonds). It's customary to wear a large bib for the sauce stains. The calçots can be accompanied by red wine or cava sparkling wine. We would then be served pieces of meat or sausages which are roasted in the charcoal after cooking the calçots, followed by a typical desert. Valls is a long way to go just for a meal so we have elaborated the itinerary to include other gastronomical delights both coming and going. First stop on Thursday would be in the small town of Bouziques near Sète. Weather permitting we would board a boat with a guide to see how oysters and mussels are farmed in the Etang de Thau. Lunch would be at le Petit Bouziques where Chef/Owner Antoine (who hails from Galicia, Spain) personally cooks every dish to perfection, accompanied by wines of the region. Then on to stay for three nights in Sitges, a very lively town just south of Barcelona. Best choice of accommodations are near the port and marina, a pleasant seaside walk to the old city, no congestion, easy parking and a restful nights sleep. We would rendezvous that evening to enjoy tapas in the village center. Friday morning we would visit the central market followed by lunch at a seafood restaurant in the neighboring town of Vilanova. The evening is free but we no doubt would be meeting up at yet another tapas bar in Sitges or possibly one of the lively cafe/restaurants in the port. Back to Sitges, another free evening but as it is Saturday night on the weekend before Easter, we would probably land up in a lively tapas restaurant. Sunday we depart back to France with a stop for lunch at Motel Emporda in Figueres. Don’t be misled by the name, it is an elegant classic dining destination. Car pooling is recommended in view of the distances to be traveled.

Historical account reconstructed from La Table’s archived event materials.