Gastronomy in Leon
The abrupt topography of León, with its mountainous areas, its páramo and its excellent agricultural lands, has allowed it to develop an interesting and very personal cuisine, such that most of its preparations and dishes include “of León” at the end of their names.
A kitchen with two influences
Leonese cuisine is fed by two determining influences, Asturian and Galician, which is evident in preparations such as Leonese “cachelada”, “lacón con grelos” or potatoes cooked with chorizo.Its culinary heritage is based on pig, sheep and cattle farming, as well as a wide variety of agricultural products.
Likewise, among its dairy products are excellent cheeses made with goat's milk. Standouts are lion cow cheeses, Navy cheese and especially the world-renowned Valdeón cheese.
Slaughter and fishing
The fame of the products of the slaughter is well known throughout Spain, especially its sausages such as blood sausage from León, a type of onion blood sausage exclusive to León, Villamanín ham, “botillos” and sausages from Trobajo del Camino.In addition to its sausages, León offers exquisite cured meats and popular beef-based dishes such as tripe a la Leonesa, Valencia de Don Juan “batallones” and different lamb-based stews, such as roast lamb and lamb offal.
Also, the culinary menu of meat is supplied with the many wild boars of the region. From them, stews are made with rice and other legumes and vegetables typical of León.
Thanks to its more than 3,000 kilometres of rivers, León is supplied with an immense amount of fish, especially trout, from which exquisite stews, roasts and marinades are prepared. The quality of its trout and the attractiveness and popularity of these dishes have led to International Trout Week being held every year.
This event hosts a large number of tourists and has further elevated León's gastronomic reputation among the most demanding fishermen and diners.
This event hosts a large number of tourists and has further elevated León's gastronomic reputation among the most demanding fishermen and diners.
Cod is also an integral part of the menu in León, appearing in popular dishes such as cod salting and cod with “ajoarriero”.
Vegetables and greens
The topography and climatic conditions have made agriculture in León highly developed.
Therefore, legumes are abundant, especially lentils and beans. From them, delicious preparations with chorizo and black pudding are made, as well as stewed “maragato” and “berciana” pot.
The region's peppers are an important component of other dishes such as El Bierzo peppers and “empanadas de batallón”.
Therefore, legumes are abundant, especially lentils and beans. From them, delicious preparations with chorizo and black pudding are made, as well as stewed “maragato” and “berciana” pot.
The region's peppers are an important component of other dishes such as El Bierzo peppers and “empanadas de batallón”.
As sweet as life
Just as its gastronomic menu is extensive in its elaborations based on pork, fish and big game, León’s delicious confectionery is characterized by a wide variety of highly appreciated and popular sweets.Among the most outstanding are iron cookies, puff pastries, “imperiales”, “mantecados”, “lazos” and “nicanores”.
Other desserts include trout cakes, “merles”, egg yolks, almond-free marzipan, “orejas”, which are served mainly during carnival celebrations, cup chocolates, anise donuts, “frixuelos” and imperial figs.
Export wines
León is well known for being the home of some of the best wines in the region. Several of them are of export quality, with the vast majority coming from Tierra de León and Bierzo.During Holy Week, the traditional lemonade from León is drunk. It is prepared with a cocktail of wine, lemons, fruits and spices.
