Calçotada

Calçots are a type of onion that are consumed in Catalonia during the winter time.  Today, we had a group outing to a restaurant for lunch, called Taverna El Glop in the neighborhood Gracia, to take part in the tradition of eating them.  But of course it involved an entire meal (appetizers, 1st plate, 2nd plate, and dessert), bibs and plastic gloves, and it lasted a couple hours.... as per usual.  (Always, too much food!)

First up, the traditional pan con tomate.  (Toasted bread with tomato and olive oil smeared on top).

Then various sliced pork products (which I did not eat).

They also served patatas bravas, but I didn't snap a picture quick enough before they were all eaten.  Also they served salad, but it was certainly not impressive enough to take a photo (iceberg and romaine lettuce, olives, carrots, tomatoes, and canned tuna).

Next came the calçots!  To eat a calçot, you must first remove the dirty outer leaves.  This is where the plastic gloves come in handy! Inside, there's a white juicy onion.

They're served with a special dipping sauce similar to Romesco sauce.  After you've stripped the calçot you dip it in the sauce (or spread it on with your fork because it doesn't really seem to stick).

After dipping, you tilt your head up and put the white part of the onion in your mouth-- eating the juicy bottom part of the onion like you'd eat an artichoke leaf.  This is where the bibs come in handy because there could be some dripping!  Another reason for the bibs is the wine that accompanies the calçots.  The wine is put into a glass pitcher with two openings.  To drink, you tilt your head back and pour the wine in your mouth from the smaller opening in the pitcher.  (I did not do this part, obviously).

At this point in the meal, I was satisfied-- but no!  We still had plate #2 to go!  The choice was between some sort of steak (skirt steak?), dorada (fish), or vegetables (for the vegetarians).  I chose the fish and asked one of the waiters to take off the head when I realized it was going to be served whole.  Here's a photo of the girl next to me's fish (the fish still has its head, obviously).  It was served with potatoes and a lemon.  It was VERY delicious.  (My plate is the second photo... all gone!)

Next came dessert-- we had a choice between macedonia de fruitas (fruit salad) and flan. You can guess which I chose.

Here are some photos of people in the group!  (We took up two tables).

And that's all!