Aranese cuisine is a hearty mountain cuisine, closely linked to the climate and rural self-sufficiency of the Val d’Aran, in the heart of the Pyrenees.
Aranese dishes are typically rich and comforting, designed to withstand long winters, where slow-cooked stews, pots, soups and casseroles prepared over a gentle heat are commonplace. The most renowned dish is Olla Aranesa, also known as Olha Aranesa.
Originally, Olla Aranesa was prepared by farming families using leftover crops and food stored in the pantry, naturally enhanced by the hunting and livestock traditions of the region.
Although Olla Aranesa is a staple of rural tables, its preparation varies from household to household, guided by recipes passed down through generations.
For this reason, several versions of Olha Aranesa exist today, each with its own distinctive features and evolution, while preserving the essence of the dish.
What is the traditional recipe for Olla Aranesa?
- Boil for 1 hour: pork backbone bone, ham bone, half a pig’s trotter, hen and pork belly.
- Add the pilota, made with minced beef, minced pork, 1 egg, breadcrumbs, herbes de Provence, pepper and salt, and cook for a further hour.
- Add the finely chopped vegetables: cabbage, onion, leek, potato, carrot and celery, and cook for 30 minutes.
- Add the beans (previously partially cooked), rice and noodles; cook for 10 minutes, then add black pudding and butifarra del perol. Cook for a further 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to rest before serving.
- The total preparation time is around 3 hours; therefore, when visiting the Val d’Aran, an excellent option is to enjoy this dish in a traditional restaurant.
Where to enjoy Olla Aranesa in the Val d’Aran ?
Olla Aranesa is most commonly served during winter or the colder months and is often included on set menus or offered at weekends and during the mountain tourism season. Here are some of our favourite restaurants to try it:
- Tauerna Aranesa: A bar offering tapas, pinchos and menus featuring typical Aranese dishes.
- Blanc Baqueira: Located at the foot of the slopes within Hotel Tuc Blanc, also open to non-residents
- El Molí Restaurant: Local, traditional cuisine in a warm and welcoming setting.
- Casa Turnay: Traditional dishes with a modern culinary touch.
- Era Torrada Restaurant: Authentic local cuisine from the Val d’Aran.
Experience the Val d’Aran with all five senses
After a day of skiing or mountain activities, sitting down to a traditional dish such as Olla Aranesa is the perfect way to complete the experience and discover the gastronomic soul of the Val d’Aran.
Would you like to savour the Val d’Aran?
Make your getaway even more special by booking our spa hotel in Baqueira and enjoy an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
