Tue 31 Mar 2009
The La Manga Food Scene – Cuisine to Suit All
Posted by naruto ichigo under Travel
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Michael Lee asked:
Over the years, La Manga has evolved into a home for a bustling, diverse society composed of a wide variety of people from just about all ethnic backgrounds. Because of its diversity, La Manga is home to more varied goods and services than one might find in other areas of the Mediterranean. Here, you are just as likely to hear bartering in English as in German, Swedish and French, among many others. The result of this ethnic multiplicity is also seen in the food of the area: You can find just about any ethnic speciality you could imagine in this region.
Take a short trip to nearby Cabo de Palos, where an impressive Sunday market offers up a kaleidoscope of goods for purchase. Here, you’ll find everything from exotic fresh fruits and vegetables to clothing, footwear, handicrafts and unique gifts. The market is a popular destination for visitors from the surrounding area, including those who are staying (or living!) in La Manga. After your shopping is done, you can journey down the harbor, snack on some tapas or lunch and take in the beautiful scenery.
The influence of other nationalities on La Manga is evident particularly in the food of the area. At one time, only “barra” bread was available in all of Spain, but since Belgian and German master bakers have dotted the country with their bakeshops, there are countless more varieties of breads available in Spain now. La Manga is no exception. The selection of breads available here would make any carbo-loader’s head spin!
La Manga is a true gastronomic paradise. As already mentioned, the area’s cuisine is an amalgam of ethnic influences, offering locals and visitors a wide variety of choices when it comes time to dine. But at most of the area’s good restaurants, you’ll experience the best of true Mediterranean offerings, including paella, the freshest of fish, grilled meats and freshly prepared salads with a rainbow of locally grown produce.
One of the most popular delicacies in the La Manga region is a fish, served whole (usually local fish called mujol or dorada). The fish is cooked in a cover (or “jacket”) of salt, resulting in a delicate, moist finished product. Lobster, oysters and a variety of different shellfish are caught daily by the fisherman in nearby Cabo de Palos. These succulent treats are available in many of the restaurants in La Manga too.
You can dine on many local delicacies in La Manga. Space is too limited in one article to accurately convey the spectrum of choice, but do try them all. There are few places in the world where you can experience truly fresh Mediterranean food, so you might as well indulge while you’re here! And although the fish and seafood here are impeccably fresh, don’t overlook some of the area’s other mouth-watering dishes. Check out the cold gazpacho soup, the garlic-laden stews of all description and the burnished-brown whole roasted legs of goat or lamb for some particularly tasty options. You’ll have a full, happy belly before you know it.
So whether it’s traditional Mediterranean fare you’re after or something a little more unexpected, La Manga has something for you. Even if you aren’t an adventurous eater and prefer to stick with what you know when you travel, the La Manga area has something to suit you as well. With the proliferation of ethic restaurants available in the area, everyone’s tastes can be met. You’ll find everything from pizza to burgers to spring rolls in this melting pot region of Spain. Whatever it is your taste buds desire, it’s what’s on in La Manga.
Over the years, La Manga has evolved into a home for a bustling, diverse society composed of a wide variety of people from just about all ethnic backgrounds. Because of its diversity, La Manga is home to more varied goods and services than one might find in other areas of the Mediterranean. Here, you are just as likely to hear bartering in English as in German, Swedish and French, among many others. The result of this ethnic multiplicity is also seen in the food of the area: You can find just about any ethnic speciality you could imagine in this region.
Take a short trip to nearby Cabo de Palos, where an impressive Sunday market offers up a kaleidoscope of goods for purchase. Here, you’ll find everything from exotic fresh fruits and vegetables to clothing, footwear, handicrafts and unique gifts. The market is a popular destination for visitors from the surrounding area, including those who are staying (or living!) in La Manga. After your shopping is done, you can journey down the harbor, snack on some tapas or lunch and take in the beautiful scenery.
The influence of other nationalities on La Manga is evident particularly in the food of the area. At one time, only “barra” bread was available in all of Spain, but since Belgian and German master bakers have dotted the country with their bakeshops, there are countless more varieties of breads available in Spain now. La Manga is no exception. The selection of breads available here would make any carbo-loader’s head spin!
La Manga is a true gastronomic paradise. As already mentioned, the area’s cuisine is an amalgam of ethnic influences, offering locals and visitors a wide variety of choices when it comes time to dine. But at most of the area’s good restaurants, you’ll experience the best of true Mediterranean offerings, including paella, the freshest of fish, grilled meats and freshly prepared salads with a rainbow of locally grown produce.
One of the most popular delicacies in the La Manga region is a fish, served whole (usually local fish called mujol or dorada). The fish is cooked in a cover (or “jacket”) of salt, resulting in a delicate, moist finished product. Lobster, oysters and a variety of different shellfish are caught daily by the fisherman in nearby Cabo de Palos. These succulent treats are available in many of the restaurants in La Manga too.
You can dine on many local delicacies in La Manga. Space is too limited in one article to accurately convey the spectrum of choice, but do try them all. There are few places in the world where you can experience truly fresh Mediterranean food, so you might as well indulge while you’re here! And although the fish and seafood here are impeccably fresh, don’t overlook some of the area’s other mouth-watering dishes. Check out the cold gazpacho soup, the garlic-laden stews of all description and the burnished-brown whole roasted legs of goat or lamb for some particularly tasty options. You’ll have a full, happy belly before you know it.
So whether it’s traditional Mediterranean fare you’re after or something a little more unexpected, La Manga has something for you. Even if you aren’t an adventurous eater and prefer to stick with what you know when you travel, the La Manga area has something to suit you as well. With the proliferation of ethic restaurants available in the area, everyone’s tastes can be met. You’ll find everything from pizza to burgers to spring rolls in this melting pot region of Spain. Whatever it is your taste buds desire, it’s what’s on in La Manga.
