31/10/2016

At the gates of this holiday, we tell you which essential products should be laid out on the table. Its easy to enjoy them as a desserts, for example, to the Cullera de Boix, the best paella’ restaurant in Barcelona.

The arrival of North American traditions in Catalonia has somewhat changed the chestnut festival; however, since it is one of the oldest festivals of those being held throughout the year, tradition has resisted the foreign influences quite well, as the most important elements of the party are still preserved.

We are talking, of course, panellets. Though children may go and ask for candy from house to house, panellets are eaten, and prepared, in all households.

What are they? These are typical traditional sweets from Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencia, which come in the form of small balls with a spongy texture, coated with a layer of egg white and pine nuts. The dough is prepared with ground almonds, egg, sugar and lemon zest.

Some are traditional, such as the pine nut, almond and coconut variants, but they, increasingly, feature original flavours, such as candied fruit and chocolate. And some cake shops even offer various savoury creations.

Accompany this popular festival with a rice dish with mushrooms

During these dates, roasted chestnuts are essential, which are sold at small stalls scattered around the cities and run by chestnut sellers, who no longer wrap themselves warm as they did formerly, but who never miss the annual appointment with all of us to celebrate a traditional chestnut festival.

Chestnut festivals are very popular, and there are many Catalan towns and neighbourhoods in Barcelona to celebrate them

In fact, chestnut festivals are very popular, and there are many Catalan towns and neighbourhoods in Barcelona that take the opportunity to celebrate them by organising shows and fun entertainment. Indeed, it is not a party to be experienced in privacy.

The night of 31 October is ideal for dining out and have a good mushroom rice (’tis the season!) and then celebrating the chestnut festival with neighbours and friends.

If the children at home have been kneading panellets at school (for many, this is their first contact with cooking and baking), it is now time to sample them … And find out if our children are good confectioners!

Make a reservation to Cullera de Boix, the best paella’ restaurant in Barcelona.