A good bread with a sardine and that oil...
This weekend is the Albariño Festival , an event that converts the town of Cambados in a hive of tourists and curious foodies who come willing to taste the famous wines of this privileged area of Galicia : Albariño wine.
But for some time now, the Rías Baixas canneries have been opening their doors to tourists, generating a new way of discovering the region: the Tourism of preserved Galicia.
CANNERS OPEN THEIR DOORS TO TOURISM FOR A LONG TIME
The canneries in Galicia have had a transformation in the last ten years completely giddy. This particular Meiji revolution of Galician tourism is due to the growing interest in discovering the origin of these little treasures that we find inside the cans of preserves on the one hand and by the exponential visibility of the preserve in the great kitchens of our country.
Still life of preserved cans: MARAVILLA
We start the route in Rianxo , a gray and rainy locality, sailor momentum that gives aromas that range from butter croissants to loaf bread from a wood-fired oven, from charcoal to seafood, from silence and the sea.
Already its locals tell us that the influx of tourists who seek to unravel the ** best kept secret of Galician seafood ** is more and more notorious every year, that tourists come to queuing at the canning shops and that tourist interest in the area has been reactivated, which they appreciate.
And it is that the canneries have decided to open their doors and tell what is behind one of the best kept secrets of our gastronomy: ** the preserve **. And the result is a success.
Canned Mussels La Brújula
A few kilometers from Rianxo we come across the town of Boiro , and we went to one of the canneries that they recommend: Ramon Franco . There we manage to talk to a shellfisher who literally tells us that in Spain "We have no idea what seafood we eat."
In his outburst of sincerity he tells us how in large supermarkets they sell South American seafood of lower quality than Galician and that they sell a lot for their low price. And it is that quality seafood is not a cheap good , and its elaboration process until reaching the preserve is quite expensive. In Boiro there are up to eight canneries, although not all of them can be visited.
** THE COMPASS: THE CONSERVATURISM OF CAMBADOS**
One of the most institutionalized and programmed proposals for tourism in this preserved Galicia is found in Cambados, the cradle of the Albariño . There is the canning of a well-known brand in our country: The compass . receives us Ángel Sánchez, general manager of the company, opens the doors of this very interesting “preserved” destination.
Sánchez tells us that Conservaturismo is a type of tourism that they have developed at Conservas La Brújula. It consists of traveling to a canning area, Galicia, to get to know, enjoy and share experiences around the culture of canning and a lifestyle linked to the sea.
It arises from the perfect combination between maritime tourism, culture and gastronomy. It is also associated with wine tourism creating synergies and unique opportunities . "Getting to know the day-to-day work at sea, its gastronomy and its customs are an attraction that is gaining strength for the tourism sector", account to Traveler.es.
Factory of La Brújula in Cambados
The concept of Conservatourism of La Brújula combines the history , the tradition and culture of a region that has become ingrained among the population over the years . “We want to value this tradition . Bringing tourists closer to a sector and a profession, that of the Ladies of the Conserva , so that they know the craftsmanship of these professionals and the passion for their work”, says Sánchez.
His activity consists of a guided tour of the factory, where the tourist can see how a quality artisan preserve is made, the importance of the origin of the raw material, processes, sustainable fishing , etc.
Also, add a tasting paired with local wines and one master class of the many culinary possibilities offered by preserves. A complete experience.
The ladies of the preserves in La Brújula
In addition, Ángel explains that the tourist will understand the work behind an authentic artisan preserve, the origin, where they come from the best fish and shellfish in the world, raw materials, sustainable fishing methods, artisanal processes...
“See in situ the meticulousness and care with which our Ladies of the Preserve is something unique. Also, You will understand the absolute respect that is given to the raw material and you will learn through a workshop to prepare haute cuisine with cans ”she comments.
Cambados wine: if it doesn't stain it's not good
AND THE PAIRING, WITH ALBARIÑO
The strong weekend for canned tourism in Galicia is the first weekend of August since, in addition to the canning experience, the famous Albariño fair is held. And no one can resist pair some good mussels or a wonderful tuna belly with a broth from the Rías Baixas
Cambados becomes a hive of tourists who wander through the different stalls of the wineries to, glass in hand, try, try and continue trying the best of each house. Also, the Albariño Festival of Cambados It has a program of activities that includes musical performances during the five days that the event lasts, including a jazz concert by the Galician Jazz Orchestra.
The first edition of this party dates from 1953 and, they tell us, it was a dinner between about fifty winemakers and friends of wine, who decided to hold a kind of contest to reward the best local wine.
Such was the success that it was repeated year after year, including musical, gastronomic and recreational activities, a fact that has made Cambados in a well-regarded tourist destination . In addition, the activity of its canneries has helped to give that last push to say that Galicia en Conserva is a tourist option for the curious , gourmet foodies and, of course, lovers of good wine.
You know, Galicia Quality...