During
the week from 11th to 17th november, Vilafranca has become the place of
the most important fair
in Penedès regarding autochthonous poultry. Watch
the spot.
Following
some local
historians, the beginning of this fair comes from XII century and,
in spite of having had its hard times during 60s and 80s last century
due to the introduction of the american chicken, easy to fat but having
tasteless meat, last editions it has revitalized in a spectacular way
thanks to the support of the city council and its departments of tourism.
What
started being the Saint Thomas fair for the 21st of december, a meeting
point for all Penedès farmers, centuries ago, turning the chicken
as a must for every kitchen, wealthy or not, has become today a reference
in the promotion of the autochthon
poultry: Penedès chicken and hen and the Penedès
"Mut" duck.
The
activities taking place in the fair have grown since centuries ago where
only the exposition of the products provided by the farmers. There's
currently a long
act program including the exposition, selling and chicken contest,
as well as gastronomic and wine (Guarantee of Origin Penedès) tasting,
craft and natural products, bottle tops exchanging, etc.
As
an exemple, currently has taken place the 8th edition of the Plain Omelette
Contest. Several restaurants in the city have been all week long offering
40 different
chicken and duck courses.
The
fair was closed this year with a Laroc choral concert.
17/12/06
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Where
does 'Escudella' come from?
The
word used for the catalan christmas soup has a very old origin. It comes
from the latin scutella, diminished from scutum, which means shield.
This
is one of the oldest words in catalan cooking, appearing in 'Blanquerna'
from Ramon Llull (XIII-XIV) and in a 'Jaume the 1st' chronicle.
Watch
our 'Escudella' video. (catalan version, english coming)
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