Ruta de la Plata

In a region defined by its valleys and fertile riverside meadows, an ample and varied sample of the produce of its bountiful market gardens is a must. The star of Benaventes market gardens is the pepper, which is exalted in the regional fair of this product that takes place every year at the end of the month of September.

Among the representative dishes of los Valles (the Valleys) are to be found b>Tera trout, pichones (young pigeons) done a la rápida or a la benaventana, salted cod done a lo tío or a la cazuela, cangrejos (crayfish) and ancas de rana (frogs legs). Not to forget the succulent meats roasted in wood-fired ovens, such as tostón (suckling pig) and cordero lechal (suckling lamb).

Among the farm produce of renowned fame and quality are to be found cheeses, cured cold meats, honey and liqueurs.

Among the wide variety of traditional cakes and pastries, the most renowned are the typical feos, rosquillas de trancalapuerta, bollos de coscarón and rosquillas del ramo. Special mention needs to be made, because of their quality, of the convent-made sweets, such as rosquillas de ángel (angel rings) and tarta del Cister (Cister tart).

As regards wines, there exist a wide variety of qualities, from full-bodied clarets from Vidriales, in whose elaboration both the white and red fruit of the vine intervenes, along with sparkling wines and young and aged red wines. Wines possessing the honorific mention of Vinos de la Tierra (Wines of the Land). The winemaking tradition is exemplified in the region in the multitude of family wine cellars existing in every municipality, some of which are open to the public, as in the case of San Román del Valle.

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