Christmas in Jerez is incomplete without experiencing a zambomba. Therefore, we wanted to take a culinary look at the typical menu that was and still is enjoyed at this authentic Jerez Christmas celebration. With the head chef of Alfonso Catering We pay a small tribute to the zambombas (traditional Christmas drums) and the gastronomy enjoyed during them. In this way, we don't let slip away a part of that cultural legacy that is also the cooking of our grandmothers at this time of year. Something so important to Alfonso Catering that it continues to serve as inspiration today: tradition, culinary expertise, local products, and culinary innovation at the service of the customer.
The origin of the zambomba is spontaneous and popular: it was born in the courtyards of the old tenement buildings in the neighborhoods of downtown Jerez. Neighbors would gather around a large bonfire to sing flamenco carols with lyrics found only in this region. They are now an undeniable part of the oral folk culture of the capital of the Cádiz countryside. Like their food: people brought whatever they had at home to the zambomba. Each neighbor contributed something to eat, and given the humble, popular origins of this celebration, the menu had little or nothing to do with what fills our tables at Christmas today.
No Jerez-style Christmas celebration would be complete without some delicious pestiños (honey-dipped fritters), sugar and cinnamon doughnuts, and rice pudding. Grandmothers in Jerez treasure old recipes for these traditional sweets, which we wanted to revive and which you can find in this [link/resource]. entry from our blog.
Traditional Jerez cuisine owes much to the countryside and wild ingredients: cabbages, which give their name to one of the stewsmore characteristic of the Jerez countryside. Or the wild thistles, which have always been prepared asparagus or stewed with cabbage. And what about potatoes with cuttlefish! The garlic of viñaAlthough it is more typical of the grape harvest season (between the end of August and the beginning of September), it is a hearty dish, perfect for combating the cold and ideal for sharing with the so-called “spooning and taking a step back”. You can find the garlic recipe at viña as part of this brilliant hake with cuttlefish and garlic noodles viña.
For dessert, nothing is more humble and delicious than a pulley, the Cadiz version of the porridge prepared in eastern Andalusia, which is very good for combating the cold around the fire.
Jerez's quintessential Christmas celebration was declared in 2015 as A Cultural For being an expression of popular folklore and for its great ethnological interest. There you will be able to enjoy the beautiful singing, the joy, and all these dishes which, surely, will be accompanied by good wine. sherry wine.