Manchego cheese, the hallmark of Castilla La Mancha
OIL FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF TOLEDO
There are four oils with D.O. in Castilla-La Mancha, although the one from Montes de Toledo (of the cornicabra variety, fruity and balanced) is, without a doubt, the one with a greater recognition. Side. It covers about one hundred municipalities of Toledo and Ciudad Real.
PURPLE GARLIC FROM LAS PEDROÑERAS
Round-headed and white on the outside, the most famous garlic in Spain It keeps inside a dozen cloves of a very characteristic intense violet or purple color, with an intense aroma and slightly spicy flavor.
SAFFRON
Everyone knows the hard work involved in harvesting and roasting saffron. This, along with its poor performance, more than justifies its price. Well, the one in La Mancha is the only one that has, at a national level, the PDO quality recognition.
ALMAGRO AUBERGINES
The Arabs brought them to Spain and in Almagro they kept the recipe. Always canned, well seasoned or stuffed... They have that La Mancha flavor of purple garlic, cumin, dried fennel, roasted red pepper, paprika... and, of course, that little bit of spice. Aldea del Rey, Almagro, Bolaños de Calatrava, Calzada de Calatrava, Granátula de Calatrava, Valenzuela de Calatrava and Viso del Marques, all in Ciudad Real, are the towns where the PDO allows its production and conservation.
The most famous garlic in Spain
MANCHEGO CHEESE
Made with milk from sheep of the Manchega breed, it is characterized by its butteriness and consistency and its hard crust, with a maturation that ranges between 30 days and two years. Try some of the artisan cheeses from Ciudad Real, such as Marantona, from Cheeses La Casota , in La Solana.
TOLEDO MARZIPAN
Almonds, sugar, honey and eggs: marzipan is the hallmark of Toledo. The best are found in Obrador Santo Tome , in the heart of the capital. Not in vain, they have been making them for more than 150 years. Don't miss the ones made in convents either: San Clemente el Real, Jesús Y María, Santo Domingo de Silo or San Antonio de Padua.
HONEY FROM THE ALCARRIA
Natural honey and with D.O. which is made in La Alcarria (Guadalajara and Cuenca) it is not pasteurized to preserve all its beneficial properties for health. There are three types depending on the wild plants from which it is made: monofloral rosemary honey, monofloral lavender honey and multifloral honey.
CROSS BREAD
This true artisan bread has been made in Ciudad Real since the 13th century and has the PGI seal (Protected Geographical Indication) . With a cross-shaped mark (it is said that because of the Calatrava Cross), it is a spongy crumb, without alveoli and with a slightly sweet taste.
The best marzipan are those from Obrador Santo Tomé