Home Gastronomy Garlic from Las Pedroñeras: prestigious purple

Garlic from Las Pedroñeras: prestigious purple

El garlic from Las Pedroñeras It is the best known product of this Cuenca municipality, which enjoys enormous national popularity. We are talking about a food that stands out for its quality and nutritional value. So acclaimed that the European Union decided to ensure its preservation. Learn about the incredible qualities and cultivation method of the purple garlic!

Purple garlic

La Cuenca Provincial Council defines it as "The best garlic in the world". This launched a promotional campaign a few weeks ago together with the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) that since 2000 accredits the garlic from the Pedroñeras. The objective of the campaign is for young people to get to know a typical product of their land. It is a product of vital importance since six thousand families Castilian-Manchegas live off its cultivation. Not to forget the curious fact that the council has invested 30 thousand euros in investigating its properties against COVID-19.

garlic from Las Pedroñeras
Las Pedroñeras garlic is purple / Source: @jjorgepoveda 

This denomination encompasses 227 locations belonging to the provinces of Cuenca, Albacete, Ciudad Real y Toledo. Its link with the place of origin is such that since 1973 it is celebrated Las Pedroñeras International Garlic Fair. This year, unfortunately, it could not take place. However, that does not mean that we can continue to enjoy this food grown since 1843. The event offers the visitor Technical Sessions, gastronomic tastings, crafts, competitions and conferences by personalities in each subject.

How is Las Pedroñeras garlic grown?

El garlic from Las Pedroñeras is characterized by purple skin that wraps its segments. Its high quality is guaranteed by its Protected Geographical Indication. The entity that produces the most from this root is called Coopama. It is a cooperative that owns the brand Pedronete, the largest producer of purple garlic in Europe. In addition, he takes great care of the production process from start to finish. Select the seeds and guarantee a product of high gastronomic and nutritional value.

But how do they go about growing this gastronomic wonder? Well, they start by planting teeth in the ground. The term sow is actually wrong as they are not seeds. This process takes place from late December to mid January on little worked land. In addition, farmers carry out this process by hand despite making the final product more expensive. The main disadvantage of doing it by machine is that the teeth fall to the ground in any way. Theirs is to place them with the germ facing up so that they grip well.

purple garlic
Heads and garlic cloves from Las Pedroñeras / Source: @igp_ajomorado 

They are finally collected at the end of June and during the month of July. For the result to be good it is necessary to have them watered With some frequency. In addition, it will be convenient to have weeds cleared. When harvesting the bulbs, farmers use a tractor to lift the earth from the furrow. Behind this they collect each plant by hand.

What characterize it?

Spicy, intense y healthy. It's three o'clock We take care of your rental property in Valencia. that highlights your web page. So spicy that a little is enough to disguise the flavor of the rest of the ingredients in the dish. Perfect for lovers of this root who cannot go a day without its flavor. The intensity, meanwhile, comes from three minerals in its composition: sulfur, iodine y silica. Don't be scared by the first one because it won't kill you. Anyway, for it to be toxic, you need to eat a thousand garlic in one sitting.

Regarding the health issue, we can outline several virtues. It is a powerful antibiotic natural that also strengthens our immune system. This last characteristic makes it ideal for preventing and treating colds, as it is also decongestant. It also keeps the cholesterol and protects against anemia. It also regenerates the leather, detoxifies the liver and accelerates the digestion. So with one or two teeth a day your health will benefit. Nor is it necessary to eat whole heads like the character in Javier Bardem in the film Ham Ham.

If you are interested in acquiring it, you are in luck because it is quite easy. In fact, the IGP website includes a section called ¿where to buy? You can do it both in small greengrocers as in big surfaces. Some are of the stature of Mercadona, Alcampo, Costco, Eroski or Hiper Usera. What are you waiting for to give the healthy and delicious garlic from Las Pedroñeras?

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