The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Balearic Foods. If you manage to be in an Balearic restaurant or you are visiting Balearic Islands, I recommend the following:
1. Flaó de Ibiza
It is typical of the island of Ibiza and is prepared for any important celebration. On the feast of All Saints’ Day, along with panellets, fritters and dried fruit, this cheesecake is also eaten in many Ibizan homes. However, nowadays it can be found all year round in both Ibiza and Formentera. Although its origins date back to the Middle Ages, the recipe for Flaó has been preserved in its entirety by the peasants to this day. It combines tradition and flavour with aromas of goat’s cheese, sheep’s cheese and mint.
2. Arròs de Matances
This juicy rice emerged as a symbol of celebration, of festivity. As its name suggests, it was cooked on the day of the pig slaughter to entertain family, friends and neighbours who had helped in the work of slaughtering the animal. The heart and soul of the recipe are the pork (ribs and neck) and chicken, the sofrito, the mushrooms (the famous esclata sang, which in Ibiza is called pedrasso and is nothing more than a variety of chanterelles) and, of course, the rice, all seasoned with salt, pepper, saffron, ñora and parsley. It must be said that, like all popular dishes, there are as many variations as there are cooks.
3. Greixonera de Brossat
This typical food from the Balearic Islands is a greixonera recipe and a typical Ibizan (from Ibiza) dessert. It is a Mallorcan cottage cheese tart made in an earthenware dish. The translation of earthenware dishes in Mallorcan is greixonera and the cottage cheese is brossat. Another peculiarity of this coca de brossat is that it is made with ensaimadas or, failing that, half-moons if you do not have ensaimadas.
4. Ensaimada de Mallorca
It is one of the most famous dishes on the islands. But few people know its history. It is believed to have been created in the 17th century, but the evidence is not conclusive. It is a dessert made with flour, water, eggs, sugar and lard. Another interesting fact is that the Mallorcan ensaimada is protected by the Government of the Balearic Islands, which granted the Protected Geographical Indication to the plain unfilled ensaimada and the one filled with angel hair. This sweet, along with the beaches of Mallorca, is a must if you visit the island.
5. Sopes Mallorquines
Also known as dry soups. This is another of the most typical Balearic dishes. It is made with vegetable broth and slices of bread. And, contrary to what its name suggests (Mallorcan soups), it is a dish that has to be eaten with a fork. All the broth is absorbed by the slices of bread.
6. Trempó
Coca is a typical dish in Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands and Andorra. And, here in the islands, the Coca de Trempó is very typical. It consists of a square loaf of bread dough accompanied by different diced vegetables.
7. Maó Cheese
Mahón or Maó cheese is a delicious product that only on the Balearic Islands acquires a mild, slightly salty and sour taste, a milky aroma reminiscent of butter, which is only achieved due to the environment and geography of Menorca and the way it is made, which has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. The taste is mild, slightly salty and acidic.
8. Oliaigua
Another of the most typical and characteristic dishes of Balearic cuisine. It consists of soups, of very humble and traditional origin, which consist of cooking different vegetables in water and oil (first they are fried in the oil and then the water is added). When the soups are ready, they are served in a dish or bowl with a slice of bread on the bottom. This way, when the soup is served hot, the bread softens.
9. Sobrassada
Sobrasada is one of the most traditional gastronomic products of the Balearic Islands, a raw and cured meat product made with pork meat seasoned with salt, paprika and other spices. The roast envelope is a very traditional and common food in different areas of the Mediterranean, but it is originally from the Balearic Islands.
10. Crespells
Crespells de Mallorca are sweet pastries approximately one centimetre thick that used to be traditionally eaten at Easter. The shape varies depending on the mould and it is an ideal recipe for making with children, as there are lots of figures of stars, hearts, fish and animals. They are served sprinkled with plenty of caster sugar.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.