Calçot

Information and cooking instructions for Calçot 

The name Calçot  (pronounced calsote) derives from the Spanish word calco, which means "stocking".  Calçot  belong to the  onion family and look like a spring (green) onion only fatter. They are a specialty and one of the most celebrated vegetables during the winter months in Catalonia where they even have festivals called Calçotadas,  in towns throughout the region.

They are believed to have been  discovered in the 14th Century by a farmer called Xat Benaigues, who  inadvertently left some spring onions wrapped up in a dark, cool place, during the summer.  He decided to replant them in the autumn  in a deep mound of soil, and by the beginning of the winter, they had grown into a new species - Calçot .

Generally milder than spring onions, Calçot  are traditionally grilled over a barbecue then dipped in a pepper/tomato sauce before eating.

To cook simply place on the barbecue and when the outer layers of the onion are completely blackened they are ready to eat.

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