Gastronomy

Christmas is a time of enjoying traditional dishes, some well known throughout the world such as “Roscón de Reyes”, and others which are unique like Malaga’s “borrachuelos al vino”.

With the passing of summer stalls selling roasted chestnuts begin to proliferate around Malaga, the first sign that Christmas is approaching. The scent from the stalls where they cook, cut and add a touch of salt to the chestnuts proves irresistible as you fill a cone of chestnuts, to enjoy and fight the cold.

Of Andalusian origin, “mantecados”, a traditional Christmas sweet made from flour, almonds and lard, have always been found on tables in Malaga households during the Christmas festivities. Mantecado made with almonds, chocolate, cinnamon, lemon and the famous “polvorón” (which only differs from mantecado in its shape), eaten between meals, after meals or at teatime during Christmas.

“Mazapanes”, traditional marzipan sweets made with almonds and sugar, have unusual shapes, often imitating animals, fish and typical Christmas symbols such as bells and stars.

 On the other hand, “turrón”, a traditional Christmas nugget sweet, made with dried fruits, mainly almond and honey, these nugget bars nowadays boast a great variety of flavours to be enjoyed over the Christmas period.

 Borrachuelos are also usually enjoyed during these days. Depending on your taste you can choose between honey or sugar borrachuelos, and to give them a local flavour, you can also try wine borrachuelos, made with Malaga wine.

 On New Years Eve numerous hotels offer splendid meals, prior to ringing in the New Year celebrations with the Malaga tradition of eating twelve grapes 12 grapes to the chime of the bells as they strike midnight. After ringing in the New Year you can enjoy the free bar, and start the New Year on the right foot as you dance into the early hours of the morning.

 If at any moment in the afternoon or evening when doing your Christmas shopping or simply taking a stroll in the historical centre of the city you feel you need a bite to eat, you can warm yourself up with hot chocolate and ”churros”, a type of traditional Spanish flour fritter,  in the many establishments which specialize in the “tejeringo”.

 In order to end Christmases with a good taste in your mouth, do not forget to try “Roscón de Reyes”, with or without cream, adorned with frosted fruits, and many of them with a small gift in its interior.

 All of these products are frequently eaten and easy to find. They are available in supermarkets and large stores, although perhaps you may prefer to buy them in local bakeries and confectioneries where their artisan manufacture gives them a special flavour.