The valley notebook Winter stew Guiso de pelotas

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Guiso de pelotas

Beans and generous dumplings that signal when the stew is ready

A winter bean stew with large bread-and-maize dumplings enriched with cured meats and dried pepper. When the dumplings rise to the surface, the pot is ready for the table.

Winter stew Eastern Almería · Huércal-Overa and Pulpí
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Guiso de pelotas

The bread-and-maize dumplings rise to the surface when they are ready to join the bean stew.

Beans and generous dumplings that signal when the stew is ready

Guiso de pelotas brings together a pot of beans and large, tender dumplings made with bread and maize. The dumplings carry the flavour of cured meats and dried pepper, holding some of the broth’s character while keeping their own texture.

This is winter cooking from eastern Almería, particularly associated with Huércal-Overa and Pulpí. The cooking process provides its own simple cue: the dumplings rise to the surface when they are done. That small movement in the pot is part of the appeal of a warm, family-style dish made for sharing.

This is winter cooking from eastern Almería: a long, hot stew made as a complete meal for cold days.

J F M A M J J A S O N D
At its best Available
  • Huércal-Overa and Pulpí in eastern Almería
  • Mesones serving home-style regional cooking
  • Village bars when it appears as the day’s stew
  • A young red wine with the cured-meat sofrito
  • Pickles or olives before the stew
  • Seasonal fruit for dessert
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