Spain’s LEGENDARY Onion Festival | Calçots in Catalonia

Рет қаралды 42,803

Күн бұрын

Spain is full of incredible festivals. And I'd long wanted to visit this one, in Valls, Tarragona, which is held in honour of perhaps the world's most celebrated onion. Venga, let’s go!
Info about the festival festacalcotadavalls.cat/
My exporter friend Oscar runs www.calsots.com/
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⏩ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:56 Getting in with the locals
03:18 The story of calçots
04:05 The calçot boom
5:08 The world's best-grown calçot
06:52 The world's best calçot sauce
09:11 The winner farmer
10:04 What I'm learning
11:30 The World's Calçot Eating Competition
14:42 I must eat a calçot!
18:25 My thoughts...
WHO ARE WE? 🥝
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Hola, Spain lovers! We're James and Yoly. James is a New Zealander, and Yoly is from Spain. And we both live in Madrid. This channel is all about giving you a local insight into life in Spain, and helping you experience this country like a local when you come to visit (or live!). If that sounds like your kind of thing, bienvenido!
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Пікірлер: 179

@martatrujillo4104 Жыл бұрын

La cabezona del video es la imagen de la lotería catalana llamada "La Grossa" (el gordo). Es una lotería que venden números para Sant Jordi y Navidad.

@MisterExciting Жыл бұрын

About the woman with the big head on her, its a catalan tradition too. This one in particular is the image of the catalan lotery.They are called capgrossos, wich means big/fat heads. They usually are the companions of,yet another catalan tradition, els gegants wich means the giants. Almost every city and town in catalunya had their own giants and capgrossos and they show up in the local festivities. Great channel btw.

@MYTravelBF Жыл бұрын

We love that you're showing more of these small festivals in parts of Spain that tourists traditionally don't see, as these are some of the things that truly make Spain unique! We can't wait to try calçots in the future! Thanks as always, James!

@hsavietto Жыл бұрын

How not to love Spain, right?

@Notsoquick 11 ай бұрын

That’s not Spain, it’s Catalonia

@hsavietto 11 ай бұрын

@@Notsoquick drive.google.com/file/d/1m6L-vYAYratc0UTRUTElTAk9b6I3zRtz/view?usp=drive_link

@rafaelparra2237 Ай бұрын

@@Notsoquickesto es y será España siempre

@AdriaOliSal Жыл бұрын

That woman with the big head is a Capgross, a traditional catalan figure representing some important personality of the village or the country. In this case, this was Roser Arena's capgros, that's used to promote the catalan winter and summer lotteries, called La Grossa (Similar to the spanish El Gordo de navidad).

@Outspoken.Humanist Жыл бұрын

Oh man that took me back. I lived in Lleida (Lerida) for 5 years back in the early 80's and I went to all the festivals in the area. Vals was great and this video brought back wonderful memories but my fave was, of course, l’Aplec del Caragol en Lleida, the snail festival. It runs for 3 days and this year it begins on 2nd June. You really must go. xx

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a great festival Paul. Noted down! I hope you're well!

@mizginavale22 Жыл бұрын

Spaniards really know how to have fun !!! I saw it in the market here in Valencia yesterday and I had never seen before. It looked like a huge scallion and now, I am curious to eat it. I really applaud you for being in the middle of everything, including the sauce tasting. This video is just like a documentary about this festival. Ole!

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Gina! And yes, it was great to get amongst it all!

@aseuvella6102 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful Spain

@MLCruey Жыл бұрын

In the mountains of Virginia, we have a wild garlic called a ramp. They have a ramp festival each Spring.

@pedrosmith221 Жыл бұрын

We have great cuisine in Spain 😊

@testaddict Жыл бұрын

Wow! You should make more of this festival videos! Amazing production!

@eduprado8155 Жыл бұрын

Your final conclusion is very right. In Spain we have local traditions in wich we celebrate weird or insignificant things because in the end that's not the main thing. The main thing is join all the people together and share in order to celebrate (and exalt) their community identity. Thats is what really make sense.

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Totally! I love it!

@lauramartin-bk9nr Жыл бұрын

*MAIN thing

@porculizador Жыл бұрын

Your videos feel like a documentary sometimes... They get better and better. I want to eat calçots now! 😋

@arnauorengoguardiola1616 Жыл бұрын

I just went to a calçotada and you really covered all the topics, such a good video! Some catalan pronunciation tips: the 'll' is almost like the spanish one (though not exactly the same), so it should be Valls and not Vals, so it kind of sounds like 'Byes'. And the 'ny' is like the ñ. Keep up the good work, I recently discovered your channel and you're a good storyteller and editor.

@RichardLeeOwensJr Жыл бұрын

Hey there, I happened on your videos and now have seen a few. I’ve been living in Barcelona for over 20 years, married to a Catalan woman. The calçotada is one of our favorite fiestas. We take full advantage of the season every year, going to at least 3-4 every year. I think you’ve done a great job showing what it’s all about. If you’re ever back this way snd you want to meet up, give me a shout! I’m an American but know New Zealand quite well as I used to work on the Ice! Still have many friends who live there.

@hypnosisforhappiness Жыл бұрын

I am a Spaniard living in Australia. I loved the video and your final reflection. This type of festival is something I would always steer clear of, but somehow you manage to make some sense of it, well done! 🎇

@kokorospirit5006 Жыл бұрын

6:43 Best use of ever of a Palmer's micrometer device! :)

@miriamO212 Жыл бұрын

Loved all of the commentary from the locals!

@jetfowl Жыл бұрын

I love these onions. Just watching this video has made me so very hungry. And there's no calcots here to eat. 🤤

@tallie2234 Жыл бұрын

So glad I caught this video before I went to Catalonia! This was posted literally a few days before I went and I made sure I bought some calçot and the sauce when I went. Great video and I agree that calçot are delicious!!

@radhakmartin Жыл бұрын

I live in Barcelona now, and i went to Platja d’Aro with my cousin’s family for the carnaval parade. It was so fun! My cousin’s husband cooked us calcots, and I got to try it for the first time. It was really good! I am officially a fan.

@Solo_Traveling Жыл бұрын

'That woman', is called La Grossa. It's the symbol of the catalan lotery system.

@wecantstayput4958 Жыл бұрын

James, this is one of your best videos. Excellent content-I loved it. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@michaelcarey8491 Жыл бұрын

The woman with the "big head"is the woman from La Grossa(the catalan equivalent of El Gordo. On a smaller scale. She is the image of the Catalan lottery

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Ahhh, yes. Someone may have mentioned that. Thanks!

@davidmmm Жыл бұрын

What a report James, one of your finest. Congrats.

@Emy53 Жыл бұрын

That sauce has to be amazing.

@marcgarrigosmane166 Жыл бұрын

It is

@marcgarrigosmane166 Жыл бұрын

And healthy

@christinecleavest9099 Жыл бұрын

So good, I put it on everything.😊

@sirseedott4436 Жыл бұрын

It revived my aunt

@TheBrian7872 Жыл бұрын

I just tried my first calcots in a restaurant few days ago. I knew it's the season but had no idea about the festival! Thanks for the video, great vibe

@christopherwright8600 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant video James. I live in Madrid, but love travelling and discovering new places in Spain and your videos help a lot. :) I'm not a real foodie, but the mix of food, history and sociology make your videos about Spain fascinating and tasty to be fair ;)

@TheWanderer03 Жыл бұрын

You are amazing! Keep up with your videos !

@leidzikowski5828 Жыл бұрын

Thank for such colorful videos of Spain! I've been watching LOTS OF THEM recently, since we're planning to TRAVEL to Spain 👋💜

@josephfranklin7711 Жыл бұрын

Such a great video. Thank you!!!

@povl55 Жыл бұрын

Great storytelling, thank you!

@user-rv6pe9ru5z Жыл бұрын

4:59 소중한 추억을 영상으로 남겨주셔서 고맙습니다.

@SOCO1992 Жыл бұрын

Your videos are so joyful! Thank you! ❤

@JordiMasque-xu2ew Жыл бұрын

Buenas, me gusta mucho el video, además salimos en él. Somos los del restaurante de la mesa de atrás, que teniamos un niño pequeño.

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Hola Jordi!! Gracias por ayudarnos a comer los calcots de manera correcta!

@elainehowell7220 Жыл бұрын

I live in Malaga and love your videos. We buy these 'onions' in our vegetable market. I put them into so many dishes. Especially great on the barbeque with fat pork chops.

@python-programming Жыл бұрын

My wife and I have been watching your videos while we travel in Spain for 2 months. This is one of my favorite videos of yours!!

@DavidGNI Жыл бұрын

Loved this one. Thanks James and Yolly.

@basajaunnn Жыл бұрын

Always a good day when you upload!!!

@bobliljenquist9860 Жыл бұрын

¡Qué interesante! Nunca he sabido de eso y vivimos en Sitges, cerquita. Tendremos que visitar y probar los calçots y las salsas.

@lajosmurtra6016 Жыл бұрын

No sabes lo que te pierdes.

@jordanmoran1983 Жыл бұрын

This looks amazing and is exactly the kind of thing I want to see when I'm next in Catalonia

@enriquerocco1140 Жыл бұрын

I went to Spain last year after watching many videos thanks to this guy .. Spain = España 🇪🇸 Is the most beautiful and Wondering Country ever seen in my life ..I am 75...what a great country .. I would return back one and a thousand times to España ...long live Spain 🇪🇸 Viva España !!!! Coño!!! Oleee!!!

@Hokipoki4u Жыл бұрын

so cool. Loved the vid!

@aranzamunoz846 Жыл бұрын

Loved this so much.

@TheOnlyTaps Жыл бұрын

🙏🏿 great watch as always

@NunoSanches Жыл бұрын

Incredible video. So beautiful. Thank you.

@sancho6857 Жыл бұрын

❤very cute and good video done with passion… con le corazón. And all the best for your young family

@mebs04 Жыл бұрын

Oh my!! Can't believe you guys came to my town!!!!!! Great video!

@Chronomatrix Жыл бұрын

Btw the big head woman is the 'mascot' of 'La Grossa' which is basically Catalunya's lottery.

@meitald9251 Жыл бұрын

AMAZING! thank you:)

@charouteinlondon1523 Жыл бұрын

Amazing this will be on my bucket list for next year festival!

@caralichtenfeld3956 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the interesting video!!

@Olguis76 9 ай бұрын

Loved your video, James and Yoli!! I've discovered your channel today, and I'm binge watching! I really like to see your view of Spain, as an expat, and husband of a Spanish lady. You seem a really nice and cute couple! I am a woman from Barcelona (just asked to join your Facebook community), but I've been living in Iceland since 2006, as I am married to an Icelander. The Catalan community in Iceland, some years celebrate calçotades. How fanny, when I was young, I never wanted to even taste calçots, as I hated their smell; anyway, I did tasted them for the first time here in Iceland, and now I love them 🤤! Pity that we cannot always get them from Valls, so some years we cannot have calçotada (like this year) 😢 Please, keep up with your cool videos. Warm vibes from Iceland!! ☺

@billb5625 Жыл бұрын

Thanks again James and Yoli, I'm presently in NZ ( Waiheke Island) at my son's house but still enjoy all your videos.. Gracias.

@apsaps3651 Жыл бұрын

James , fenomenal video Lo mas importante de tus videos es como te integras y disfrutas de lo que muestras Salud y suerte

@umdcaps Жыл бұрын

I'd love to go to this festival someday. Like many of us across the pond, Anthony Bourdain introduced us to calcots when he toured Catalonia with Albert Adria in No Reservations.

@dumabel3351 Жыл бұрын

I want to travel to Spain more and more，thank you for this brilliant video👍🏻

@IRSA1 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful tradition .

@sylvesterpalermo937 Жыл бұрын

Even if you could attempt to grow them in your local area it is unlikely that it will taste the same. Not only the species but the terroire is important. In south Georgia they grow Vidalia onions. The soil is the reason that they are sweet. I would suspect something similar occurs here.

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Yeah, the soil is important!

@Ana-Maria-Sierra Жыл бұрын

I love it! ❤

@mrsupjohn4991 Жыл бұрын

One for the vegans. The hazelnut and garlic sauce looks yummy too. 😋

@mitcoes Жыл бұрын

Huge congratulations, one of your best videos, it could be a documentary series chapter about "Spanish fairs by Spain Revealed". I hope one day you will come to the "Feria del tomate del Perelló", - and film it - that is my favorite tomato, and one of its activities is several restaurants nearby making special tomato menus or dishes.

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Gracias Miguel :) Tomato festival sounds great.

@jonathangarza3386 Жыл бұрын

This brings back memories of the first time I saw anything about calcots. It was on No Reservation. Anthony Bourdain was at a farm in the Catalonian countryside.

@johnwelch5132 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful as always. Baby jumping is a new one for me😂

@elisaproctor3666 Жыл бұрын

Putting this on my list of things to eat when I get there!!!

@IntrepidIanRinon Жыл бұрын

James: "Oh wow, you've done this before." Yoly: "I have, actually." I would just pretend it's something wholesome... hahahahahaha

@QuincyResto 11 ай бұрын

Excelente Video

@notorio666 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Saludos desde Londres!

@JoseRodriguez-yf2rd Жыл бұрын

Everything time that lady with the carticure head appeared and the strange music came on, I died laughing...

@martinryan1071 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant!

@sheilakerr-jones4345 Жыл бұрын

These are my absolute favourite way to eat them! OMG! Delicioso!

@peterduffproject Жыл бұрын

Great stuff, I live in Galicia and had a feed, the festivals be crazy...

@Cantetinza17 Жыл бұрын

I'm not even a huge onion fan, but I love making my scallions by grilling them. I love to marinate them and then grill them! So Good! I know they don't marinate, but I do.

@carloscecilio7725 Жыл бұрын

I ate calçots in Gava near Barcelona , I LOVED them but without the romesco sauce. The sauce overpowers the delicious taste of pure calçots I find.

@anthonythompsondiaz277 Жыл бұрын

The first woman "Agafa aquest..." And then spoke in Spanish. Well he did greet with a bon dia and she was probably like what does he want me to speak in haha

@robertmeredith906 Жыл бұрын

Another great experience to consider when next we return to Spain. Thanks guys Also, is Lucia always that quiet?

@caroleloomis1430 Жыл бұрын

The sauce reminds me of Romesco. Thanks for sharing this!

@Olguis76 9 ай бұрын

It is Romesco 👍☺

@miguellopezgarcia6292 Жыл бұрын

James and Yolly…perfect combination!Love your videos y saludos desde Alemania 🇩🇪

@AncientMysteriesAndInnovations Жыл бұрын

Missed you guys

@michaelcarey8491 Жыл бұрын

It's all about the sauce

@Trackhealing Жыл бұрын

Estupendo pero el sonido mejorable.Gracias James

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Ya - es verdad. Me ha costado equilibrar los niveles entre conversaciones y gritos. Lo voy a mejorar!

@smelly_spaghetti Жыл бұрын

Cool onions, bro 👍

@Emy53 Жыл бұрын

I miss you guys. I am always so excited to see your videos. By mid spring, I will be planning my itinerary for this year. I have been focusing on the Andalusia area but I am considering heading north for a few days.

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Awesome Amelia!

@lajosmurtra6016 Жыл бұрын

Dont go in summer is hot as hell, first half of spring, and 2 half of autumn for best temperature. I live in Sevilla.

@MrScout15 Жыл бұрын

I think the lady who you asked for a café is also the lady that was judging the Romanesca sauce. 😊

@yeseniadeleon6576 Жыл бұрын

Hahahah awww james your so funny how you learn from the festival and than you teach your lady yoli, and tell her "dont peel it like a bannana" 😅😅 yall are the best!! And bby olivia also ❤🎉

@arizonawut Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great videos James! My wife and I are visiting Madrid for a week starting May 2. I found out that there are Dos de Mayo celebrations happening but haven't had much luck finding information about them. Any insights? Muchimas Geacias!

@spainrevealed Жыл бұрын

Probably too early for info. I suspect you'll say seeing info in March, maybe late March

@AriesMars Жыл бұрын

Fue muy divertido 😀😀 ver a la cabezuda

@peter_bazinet Жыл бұрын

I am SOOOOO hungry now. What a fun time.

@Mjeni1 Жыл бұрын

In my country we grow them and they are alot too

@rhianhead6744 Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed the video, and agree it’s the small festivals which make the fascinating culture of Spain. In my part of Spain ( Valencia) onions are called cebollas, are calcots more like a leek or spring onion ie a specific type of onion?

@elpito9326 Жыл бұрын

Los calçots son un tipo específico de cebolla o familiar de la cebolla

@Chronomatrix Жыл бұрын

I looove calçots, those who have not tasted them have no idea how delicious it is.

@britslivinginspain Жыл бұрын

Yet another fantastic reason for living in Spain- thanks for the heads up on something we hadn't heard about 👍

@OneTouch1980 Жыл бұрын

it was so terrible watching this. . . I am so hungry now for calçots. Thanks.

@LouieLibbyDove Жыл бұрын

So fun!! Thanks for sharing the experience I love Spain!

@BartMolkenboer Жыл бұрын

Really awesome event, love it that everything in Spain is about food and togetherness! Something us Dutch people could learn from big times 😂

@danirial6487 Жыл бұрын

Catalonia is not exactly Spain...

@xispaster Жыл бұрын

@@danirial6487 .....Is a part of Spain.

@danirial6487 Жыл бұрын

@@xispaster It is ....yet

@BartMolkenboer Жыл бұрын

@@danirial6487 Your right it's belgium..

@Lucascendancy Жыл бұрын

That's a lesson in living!

@friedtoaster4059 Жыл бұрын

Fun fact: great big story was also there filming the same event

@jacquesbeaudoin9706 Жыл бұрын

I searched through all your videos and could not find anything about Madrid accommodations? Like a boutique hotel, B&B if there is something like that.