Calçots

One of the most intriguing products in Catalonia is the "calçot," a variety of green onion from the town of Valls in Tarragona. Traditional "calçotadas" are held, during which the "calçots" are flame grilled over vine clippings and then wrapped in newspaper to finish cooking in their own heat. To eat them, you remove the outer skins and dip them in "salvitxada," which is very similar to Romesco sauce—both great inventions of Catalan cuisine. There is an all-out celebration of this gastronomic ritual throughout late winter and early spring.