Rice with Almagro Eggplant and Iberian Pork fillet

The cuisine of Castile-La Mancha has humble origins, shaped by a hot, dry climate and cold winters. It is the result of the area's natural resources and the need to create hearty dishes to keep people going through days spent farming and working in the countryside. Among the most popular vegetables it produces are eggplants from Almagro (Ciudad Real) and black garlic from Las Pedroñeras (Cuenca), both of which have quality stamps. "Pisto" is one of the region's finest vegetable dishes: it is made with tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini, and can be served hot or cold.