Now is the best time of year for lovers of delicious dining

As autumn arrives, Mallorcan kitchens are getting themselves ready to prepare the most delicious seasonal delicacies.

While autumn adorns the landscape with the warmest colours, foodies all over Mallorca eagerly await the arrival of seasonal specialities. Autumn brings a range of gastronomic traditions deeply rooted in the island’s culture: the traditional slaughter of pigs, hunting, mushroom foraging, an abundance of fresh fish and seafood, as well as a wide range of fruit, vegetables and other produce that convert pantries into genuine treasure troves.

For food lovers on the island, autumn really is the best part of the year. The recipe books of the island’s cuisine feature delicacies such as rabbit or field hare with onions, stuffed pigeon, pickled partridge and thrush with cabbage. And it’s also a time to showcase the delicious rice dishes that never fail to delight diners. And the undisputed king of the rice dishes is the arroz brut with its distinctive dark colour.

As the cold begins to settle in, pulses, vegetables, potatoes and a variety of meats come to the fore in local cuisine. The stews, casseroles and bollits take pride of place on the menus of the restaurants and bars that specialise in robust and authentic dishes.

One of the earth’s hidden treasures

October is a month that shines a spotlight on mushrooms, particularly as it marks the beginning of the edible mushroom season. This tradition has deep historical roots and is widely observed in Mallorca. However, it’s also worth noting that the highly sought-after esclatasangs, the most prized variety of mushrooms, can sometimes be a bit elusive in October. The Balearic Islands are home to around 1,350 mushroom species, but only about fifty are suitable for human consumption. Among these, the esclatasangs and picornells are the most highly prized, drawing thousands of mushroom enthusiasts into the forests during the season. However, it’s also crucial that everyone respects the rules and regulations in place to guarantee the sustainable gathering of mushrooms and ensure abundant harvests for future generations to enjoy.

Esclatasang hunters tend to be very secretive about the locations where they gather their prized harvest and take great care to protect the environment to ensure the health of the forests and the sustainability of the harvest. When they discover an ideal spot beneath the bushes, these foragers thoroughly explore the terrain under the dense vegetation and also sometimes keep their findings a closely guarded secret, returning to the locations every now and then to gather excellent harvests.

Mallorca offers a culinary experience steeped in tradition and flavour. It harmoniously combines fresh, local and seasonal ingredients with time-tested dishes that celebrate the unique essence of the island in every bite.