On 23rd September, we waved goodbye to summer and welcomed in the autumn. It's a time when the temperatures drop and soups and stews return to our tables. In the Balearic Islands it's an excellent time for cuisine, and the culinary repertoire of popular gastronomy widens thanks to the large number of religious festivities that take place on the islands and the wealth of products that emerge during this season.
HUNTING AND MUSHROOM-PICKING SEASON
Hunting time also begins. Rabbit, turtle doves, and partridges are the most abundant animals on the Balearic Islands and this is why they're the most popular dishes in the island’s kitchens.
Mushroom picking is also in full swing. The main mushrooms are found in the Serra de Tramuntana, which has the ideal temperature and humidity for their cultivation. The thermophilic mushrooms are the first to appear each year, as they need high temperatures and humidity. The blue and 'picornells' mushrooms are the most popular ones in this group. It's also the time to harvest our prized 'Sclata-sangs' and girolas.
Mushrooms are used in many tasty dishes, such as stews, hotpots, and casseroles, and they're also added to many dishes to give them a distinct and delicious flavour.
SLAUGHTER SEASON
Autumn also heralds the beginning of the slaughtering season. This is a ritual in which the pig is slaughtered, and its meat is extracted, and ground and seasoned with spices. This is the origin of many of the staple dishes of Balearic gastronomy, such as butifarrones, pancetta, lard and one of the mainstays of Mallorcan cuisine: sobrassada. In the Balearic Islands, especially in Mallorca, it's a great feast that many generations of the family take part in. For centuries, the slaughtering season in Mallorca has been a time of unity between neighbours and families where laughter, gossip and anecdotes are shared.
SWEET TREATS
Autumn also brings with it many popular festivals, such as the 'Nit de les Verges' or 'Tots Sants'. During these festivities it's very typical to give pastries and confectionary as gifts, such as 'buñuelos de viento', 'amargos' and 'rosarios'. 'Panellets' are another very typical treat at this time of the year and are made from almonds and sugar. Almonds are harvested in the Balearic Islands in the autumn, which is why many autumn sweets contain them.
THE MOST TRADITIONAL AND TASTY
With the first rains of autumn, the tastiest and most traditional cuisine comes to the fore, we embrace our roots once again and cooking has a more casserole-like feel to it. The Balearic Islands rediscover their most traditional recipes and revive the most popular dishes that have stood the test of time.
FAIRS AND MARKETS
In autumn, you can find a wide variety of fairs and markets all over the island of Mallorca. If you're interested in learning more about Mallorcan cuisine, we recommend that you visit these fairs and markets in the different villages of the island and taste our most traditional dishes. Alternatively, you could buy the most typical local seasonal food and perhaps try your hand at making your own Mallorcan dishes at home.
