· 5 min read
Atienza cuisine is what you would expect from a mountain village at 1,169 metres of altitude: shepherding, game, preserves and bakery sweets. Here are the eight dishes you should not miss if you come to eat in the village.
1. Wood-fired roast lamb
Roast lamb is the safe bet. The northern Sierra of Guadalajara raises milk-fed and young lamb roasted whole in wood-fired ovens. A festive and Sunday dish. It is served by most of the village's charming restaurants, usually pre-ordered.
2. Gallina en pepitoria
Pepitoria is the Castilian stew of chicken with almonds, saffron, hard-boiled egg and white wine. In Atienza it has been kept in its traditional recipe. One of the most distinctive dishes of the Atienza recipe book.
3. Venison loin and sierra game
Game is a must on menus and tables: roe deer, wild boar, red deer. Grilled or stewed venison loin is a strong autumn-winter dish.
4. Stewed oxtail
Another mountain winter classic: oxtail stewed over low heat, with red wine, vegetables and spices. Long cooking, tender result.
5. Shepherd's migas and Castilian soups
Before the main, a soup: garlic, Castilian or shepherd's. And, on a field day, shepherd's migas with grapes or melon.
6. Torrijas at Easter
Atienza torrijas, made with day-old bread soaked in milk and honey, are the undisputed sweet of Holy Week. The village bakeries sell them in those days.
7. Grandma's rosquillas and leche frita
Atienza's sweet recipe book is generous: grandma's rosquillas (oil and anise), leche frita, bartolillos, quesada and bread cake. Each bakery has its own touch.
8. Local produce: honey, cheese, sierra meat
To take the flavour of Atienza home, look for sierra honey, shepherd's cheese and local cured meats in the village's shops.
