Popular Gastronomy of Los Alcázares
Los Alcazares It is a municipality rich in both history and gastronomy., has numerous dishes that are part of today's Murcian heritage. Before knowing the most popular dishes we must know a little about the history of the Alcázares since knowing its history We will understand his food and what makes him so popular among them.
Do you want to know how Los Alcázares ended up being a municipality?
Los Alcázares prospered as port and grazing area, even though the Mar Menor area was sparsely inhabited due to the pirate attacks and the conflicts with the Muslim kingdom of Granada. In the 20th century, its development evolved thanks to tourism and first maritime aerodrome in Spain inaugurated in 1915. Despite losing its autonomy after the Civil War, the community persevered, finally achieving its recognition as an independent municipality in 1983.
Typical dishes and products of Los Alcázares
The gastronomy of Los Alcázares is rich and varied, especially notable for its seafaring tradition and its proximity to the Mar Menor. Below, we present some of the most representative elements of local gastronomy:
Mar Menor Cauldron
The cauldron gets its name from utensil with which it is prepared, which contributes to enhance its distinctive and deep flavor, similar to the origin of the name paella. This rice was originally cooked on embers, suspended in a structure of reeds that regulated the cooking process. Today, many restaurants on the coasts of the Mar Menor continue to use this technique with cauldrons of different sizes, which guarantees an ideal concentration of flavors in each portion of the dish.
We must thank the fishermen of the Mújol del Mar Menor area for the creation of this dish, since, after long working days, they ate he leftover fish (i.e. with the cheapest fish), accompanied by Calasparra rice. In the cauldron we can find ingredients such as the rice of Calasparra, 4 ñoras, 2 kilos of fish (whitebait, hen, mullet, redfish or bream), 200 grams of shrimp from the Mar Menor and seasonings such as 200 centiliters of EVOO, 6 cloves of garlic, parsley, salt, saffron and pepper.
Seafood rice
The Alcázares seafood rice is a soupy rice cooked with different types of fish and seafood, and is characterized by its intense sea flavor and very soft texture. The dish was created in the Roman age, when the Romans introduced rice cultivation to the Iberian Peninsula, and it soon became a staple food for local citizens. With the passage of time the recipe was evolving and adapting new techniques, as the arabic influence who added spices like saffron and ñora. Since then, the dish spread throughout the region of Murcia, being today one of the most outstanding dishes of Murcia gastronomy.
Rice is a perfect dish to share with family or friends. The preparation of sailor rice contains ingredients such as bomb rice, fumet (fish soup), ñora, saffron, fish and seafood (monkfish, red shrimp, galleys, etc.), vegetables (tomato, onion, garlic, green pepper), salt, extra virgin olive oil and black pepper.
Seafood rice
The Alcázares seafood rice is a soupy rice cooked with different types of fish and seafood, and is characterized by its intense sea flavor and very soft texture. The dish was created in the Roman age, when the Romans introduced rice cultivation to the Iberian Peninsula, and it soon became a staple food for local citizens. With the passage of time the recipe was evolving and adapting new techniques, as the arabic influence who added spices like saffron and ñora. Since then, the dish spread throughout the region of Murcia, being today one of the most outstanding dishes of Murcia gastronomy.
Rice is a perfect dish to share with family or friends. The preparation of sailor rice contains ingredients such as bomb rice, fumet (fish soup), ñora, saffron, fish and seafood (monkfish, red shrimp, galleys, etc.), vegetables (tomato, onion, garlic, green pepper), salt, extra virgin olive oil and black pepper.
Mullet with salt
This delicious dish originates from Roman empireThe Romans used it to preserve fish and transport it over long distances. The simplicity of the preparation and quality of its ingredients turns it into a plate appreciated by locals and visitors.
Along with prawns, mojama, salted sweet potato, ijada tuna and other salted fish, Mújol a la sal is established as one of the dishes par excellence of gastronomy. Mullet is a white meat fish of great quality and taste, and in the Mar Menor this dish has been made essential if you visit the Alcázares.
rock octopus
It was created thanks to the need to take advantage of the remains of cooked octopus, since they used to cook octopus in large quantities to feed their families and the community. To give them a new use they tried sauté them on the grill. Later in the 80s-90s there was a great wave of rock concerts In the municipality of Los Alcázares, several restaurants wanted to adapt this trend to their dishes, thus calling the “Rocking Octopus”.
It is a delicious and unique dish that combines love for rock with the octopus. It is called that because when you put the pieces on the grill, they turn red and begin to jump, well, to dance. Some of the ingredients in this delicious dish are: a large leg of Murcia-style baked octopus, flaked salt, extra virgin olive oil, paprika, crusty bread and lemon.
rock octopus
It was created thanks to the need to take advantage of the remains of cooked octopus, since they used to cook octopus in large quantities to feed their families and the community. To give them a new use they tried sauté them on the grill. Later in the 80s-90s there was a great wave of rock concerts In the municipality of Los Alcázares, several restaurants wanted to adapt this trend to their dishes, thus calling the “Rocking Octopus”.
It is a delicious and unique dish that combines love for rock with the octopus. It is called that because when you put the pieces on the grill, they turn red and begin to jump, well, to dance. Some of the ingredients in this delicious dish are: a large leg of Murcia-style baked octopus, flaked salt, extra virgin olive oil, paprika, crusty bread and lemon.
Asian Coffee
At the beginning of the 20th century, the port of Cartagena was a world-famous and important destination; numerous sailors arrived every day, especially from the Asian sector.
Asian sailors used to routinely request a coffee with condensed milk and brandy, Later the citizens of the town of Cartagena coined this recipe by adding some lemon peel and cinnamon to flavor the drink. Nowadays it is also usually served with Licor 43 or Tía María.
Sailor
It is the tapa par excellence of the Region of Murcia, composed of Russian salad on a donut and with anchovy. The marinera became popular among the sailors of Cartagena in the late 70s and early 80s, in the bars near the port.
According to testimonies collected by Juan Manzanares about how this cover was created, he relates that in the bars near the Arsenal and the Port, The sailors asked for a ration of Russian salad and a few bagels and with the spoon they served a portion in it.
Sailor
It is the tapa par excellence of the Region of Murcia, composed of Russian salad on a donut and with anchovy. The marinera became popular among the sailors of Cartagena in the late 70s and early 80s, in the bars near the port.
According to testimonies collected by Juan Manzanares about how this cover was created, he relates that in the bars near the Arsenal and the Port, The sailors ordered a portion of Russian salad and a few bagels and with a spoon they served a portion.
The cuisine of Los Alcázares reflects its extensive history, thanks to the Arab influence, the fusion of cultures after the Castilian conquest, the seafaring tradition and modernization through tourism. Each dish has a story that praises the combination of heritages and the survivability of a community that has managed to survive and adapt over the centuries.
Now that you know the local delicacies and main restaurants in the municipality, tell us: Have you tried some of these famous dishes the gastronomy of the Alcázares? What did you think and which one of them was your favorite?
