Dozens of place names -villages, farmhouses, neighbourhoods, squares and streets- have names related to nut-producing trees: L’Ametller (almond), El Noguer (walnut), or L’Avellaneda (hazelnut). Nuts are an ancient resource, with archaeological evidence. They have been a part of our collective consciousness from time immemorial. Nuts were a superfood before we even knew what that was.
The combination of nuts (almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts) and dried fruits, such as sultanas and figs, is one of the country’s traditional desserts. Some people call it a “musician’s dessert”, as when musicians used to perform all day at town festivals this delicacy was their only source of energy. Others prefer to call it the “priest’s seeds”, because as the clergymen went about their business all day they used to keep it in their cassock pocket to snack on. This postres de músic or grana de capellà have been at the centre of long and cheerful after-dinner conversations, with grenache and muscatel, coffee and infusions, ratafia and other liqueurs. The combination of sultanas, figs and walnuts is so ancient that it appears in 15th century carols.
While hazelnut trees are concentrated in the humid landscapes of La Selva, walnut trees are spread throughout the region (although the plantations are concentrated in Pla de L’Estany and La Selva), since the basis of Catalan ratafia is green walnuts.
Dried fruits and nuts with the 2020-2021 Girona Excel·lent seal
Nuasets
The lack of local hazelnuts in the shops led five producers from Brunyola to initiate a joint project to promote the magnificent hazelnut plantations of this La Selva town. The result are Nuasets, shelled and roasted Brunyola negreta hazelnuts. It is a harmonious, delicious, sweet and tasty product, with an attractive crunchy texture and a balanced oil content.
Company: Esclovellana, SL
Nous Can Llavanera
The Fluvià river provides the ideal ecosystem for the walnut tree, which is why it was reintroduced at the end of the last century. However, it has now been replaced by two very well-adapted Californian varieties: Hartley and Pedro. Can Llavanera, documented as far back as the 12th century, has 26 hectares of walnut trees, located in the neighbouring municipalities of Crespià, El Pla de L’Estany, and Cabanelles, in L’Alt Empordà.
Company: Can Llavanera, SL
El jurat del tast d’embotits.
Cinto Arnau
Tècnic de l’IRTA (Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Alimentàries)
Magda Perramon
Gremi de Carnissers i Xarcuters. Propietària de Ca la Magda, de Ripoll
Xavier Baig
Propietari de la botiga La Noucentista, de Girona
Miquel Iglésias
Cap de sala del restaurant Els Ossos, de Batet
Pere Planagumà
Cuiner del restaurant Rom, de Roses