Food in Balsicas
- Spain, like most Latin cultures, make their lunch the largest and most leisurely meal of the day. It's usually taken around 2pm and can last up to two hours. Supper is typically a much lighter meal and usually served between 9pm and 11pm.
- Food tip: When buying cheese in Murcia, the best cheeses will always bare a DOC rating. This rating ensures the cheese is produced from whole milk from a Murciano or Granadina goat. You'll find two types of DOC ratings: Queso de Murcia and Queso de Murcia al Vino. The former comes in fresh and semi-cured varieties. The fresh is rather mild, while the semi-cured is more flavoured and firm. Queso de Murcia al Vino cheeses are the richest and are almost red
Munching in Murcia
Much like other small villages in the area, there are several traditional Spanish bars that serve great Murcia meals. Rice, vegetables and olive oil are the base of the cuisine here, with roasts being very common. Fish and succulent shellfish from nearby Mar Menor also find themselves on a fair share of plates. Not to be overlooked are the local sausages, which are oh so flavourful.
For more sophisticated meals, you can take the short drive down to San Javier and Mar Menor.
Here's a little guide to help you with some of the region's menus:
- Zarangollo: Imagine a combination of ratatouille and an omelette... made from eggs, tomatoes, onions and the all important courgettes
- Revuelto: A type of tapas (snack) consisting of scrambled eggs with runner beans, garlic, ham and onions
- Pastel de carne: A little pie shaped pastry filled with tomato, egg and delectable meat
- Ensalada Murciana: A cold salad consisting of tomatoes, garlic, aubergines, onions, cooked red peppers and occasionally tuna
- Pescado a la sal: Baked fish in salt
- Potaje: A rich local stew
- Habas con jamón: Ham with broad beans
- Chuletas al ajo cabañil: Garlic lamb chops
- Arroz y conejo: Rice and rabbit
- Arroz de verduras: Rice with vegetables
- Arroz marinero: Seafood rice
- Paella huertana: Vegetable paella
- Huevas de mújol: A type of caviar from Mar Menor
Market information
If you're a fan of the mighty Spanish street market, there are plenty to choose from around Balsicas... in fact there are options every day of the week!
San Pedro del Pinatar's market operates on Mondays, while La Union, Los Belones and Los Alcazares steel the show on Tuesday. Wednesdays see Santiago de la Ribera, Cartagena and El Mirador spring into action. San Javier and Los Urrutias both swing into action Thursdays, while El Algar and Torrevieja's massive market hit the streets Fridays. Saturday witnesses the markets of Los Narejos and Torre Pachero and... last but not least Cabo de Palos and Los Nieto's markets are open on Sunday.
