Artichokes at the ideal moment of consumption: tender, full of flavor and in all their glory
The province kicks off another week of its most popular gastronomy events, inviting locals and visitors to savor flavours, aromas, and textures. Menjars de la Terra, organized by INFORMACIÓN with support from the Provincial Council, resumes next Monday with a fresh culinary tour across Vega Baja, a region renowned for its remarkable gastronomy. From Monday through Friday, five carefully selected restaurants will showcase their capabilities around a star ingredient: artichokes from Vega Baja, a true jewel of the region’s orchards.
The five establishments have begun finalizing every detail to ensure a smooth experience for guests who will fill the dining rooms and enjoy menus crafted specifically for this event.
The journey opens with La Galería de La Mirada in La Zenia, housed in stunning seaside facilities. The restaurant is led by executive chef Miguel Ángel Montesinos, who has prepared an impressive menu that includes a welcome cocktail and a selection of appetizers featuring freshly harvested artichokes supplied by the Vega Baja del Segura Artichoke Association. The course of the evening also features a fitting array of dishes meant to celebrate the local harvest.
Tuesday follows, the 27th, at Pico del Águila Estate. Chef José Antonio López Pipi and his team present a special menu for the event. Guests will enjoy a bright terrace and spectacular sea views as the evening unfolds, starting with a striking welcome cocktail. The tasting continues with plates such as a flower salad with guacamole, mini artichokes, pine nuts, and lemon dressing; sepiionet gratin with artichoke and pesto; and a cod stew with Vega Baja vegetables. A lemon sherbet and a concluding dessert finish the meal.
Wednesday the 28th brings a stop in Daya Vieja where a team led by Pedro Sánchez emphasizes traditional and homemade flavors. The menu reflects daily kitchen life with dishes like consommé and baked balls, celebrated by locals and visitors alike for its comforting, familiar profile.
Vega Baja restaurants’ bids for Menjars de la Terra fill their premises
On Thursday the 29th the culinary tour reaches Almoradí, a town proudly cementing its place in Vega Baja’s gastronomic panorama. Silvino, under Encarna Capdeón, presents a repertoire that has diners raving. Options include sautéed artichokes with cuttlefish, calamari and sardines with free range eggs, a beloved widow’s pot, and El Barquero cod with homemade fried tomatoes. Menjars de la Terra showcases the region in its purest form through these vibrant plates.
The tour concludes on Friday, March 1 at Las Columnas in Torrevieja. Head chef Óscar París unveils an ambitious zero-mile menu designed to pair perfectly with the event, offering a remarkable finale to a week of local flavors.
Menjars de la Terra is an INFORMACIÓN initiative supported by the Provincial Assembly and carried out with the cooperation of Vega Baja’s PDO Regulatory Councils. The event also receives sponsorship from Bocopa, Hidraqua, Chocolates Marcos Tonda, Carmencita, Exposervi, and Mercalicante. The festival is open to everyone who wishes to enjoy the prepared menus, with a price of 42 euros for the package that includes drinks and VAT. To participate, guests simply contact the restaurant and reserve a table. Entertainment accompanies the dining experience, creating a true celebration of the region’s gastronomy.