La Tomatina de Buñol: Spain's Food Fight Festival that Celebrates All Things Tomato
Spain's La Tomatina is a celebration of all things tomato. On the last Wednesday of August each year, residents and tourists from all over the world come together in the town of Buñol near Valencia to throw over one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes at each other in what is deemed as the world's biggest food fight.
Here's some of our fave Spanish dishes and tomato-based dishes to celebrate. Buen provecho!
© iStock / Getty Images Plus / Ivan Kovbasniuk
La Tomatina de Buñol
Spain's La Tomatina is a celebration of all things tomato. On the last Wednesday of August each year, residents and tourists from all over the world come together in the town of Buñol near Valencia to throw over one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes at each other in what is deemed as the world's biggest food fight.
The exact history of how the Tomatina began is somewhat uncertain, but it is believed that it may have had its origins in a spontaneous fight between local youths in the 1940s. Over time, the tradition was consolidated and became an annual event.
Since then, the event has attracted more and more visitors over the years who are encouraged to try out the local recipes. A popular dish, is rice with pork ribs which is prepared with a base of tomato and vegetable sofrito. A hearty dish, it makes for a tasty dinner alongside a glass of wine.
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Looking for an easy snack or party appetizer? These little beef pockets are a pinch!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- Water
Filling:
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- A pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Method
- Mix flour, sugar, salt, milk, and water in a pan, and mix until you form a dough.
- In a saucepan, heat a splash of olive oil and add the onion. Cook on medium-high until onion has softened.
- Add the ground beef, and add the salt, water, and tomato sauce. When the meat has browned, remove from heat.
- Dust a flat surface with flour, and roll out the dough into a flat sheet.
- Use a ramekin or cup to cut out circles.
- Add a dollop of beef-tomato mixture to the center of each circle.
- Pinch the dough into a little pocket.
- Bake in the oven at 350° F for 15 minutes.
- Enjoy!
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