Tourism in Rubielos de Mora (Teruel), Spain. Europa Nostra Award. CittaSlow.

Rubielos de Mora is one of the most attractive towns in Teruel, situated on the right bank of the river Rubielos, belongs to the region of Gúdar-Javalambre. It is an urban-planning and architectural gem which has a collection of traditional buildings decorated with excellent grilles, while its deservedly-famous workshops are still in existence today. In fact, it was awarded the “Europa Nostra” award in 1983, in recognition of the restoration work carried out by the residents.

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It has many ecclesiastical monuments, such as: the former Collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor (17th century) which houses a fine reredos of the Life of the Virgin, work of the so-called Maestro of Rubielos; the Augustinian convent (16th-18th centuries) and the Carmelite convent (17th century); and four hermitages from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

Rubielos de Mora is also one of six Spanish municipalities approved for membership by Cittaslow international. This village invites to rest and lose touch with routine in which we are sometimes immersed, offering a marvellous gastronomy, beautiful landscapes and an exciting cultural tour.

Practical information:

Tourist office

Oficina de Turismo de Rubielos de Mora.

Accommodation

Casa Mata Apartments

Spanish Cured Ham (Jamón) Tapa´s History

The origin of the well-known traditional Spanish tapa, date back to the time of King Alfonso X (The Wise) of Castilie (XIII Century). The word "tapa" comes from the Spanish verb tapar, "to cover" and, as the legend says, this tapas tradition began with King Alfonso X of Castile.

Painting of Alfonso X holding a glass of wine and a tapa on top.

The reason? After he overcame from a disease, he started the recovery drinking small sips of wine with small dishes of food. After going back to his health, the king decided that any tavern would not be allowed to serve wine or beer to customers without a small snack or "tapa". Wise order if we consider that any alcoholic beverage thrown on an empty stomach could later derive on fights and more problems related to it and also that most of the population couldn´t afford a whole meal while drinking in a tavern.

The original tapas were slices of bread or meat or both together used “to cover” the glasses between sips. It was a practical prudence to avoid fruit flies from flying over the beverages and perhaps falling inside the glasses. The meat used “to cover” was normally cured ham (jamón), which activates thirst because of its salty taste. Bartenders and restaurant owners began creating a variety of jamón tapas to serve, thus increasing their alcohol sales. The tapas became with time as important as the drink they were accompanying and today it keeps on happening everyday.

By Laura Checa

If you want to buy the best Spanish Ham-Jamón, you are invited to visit our Online Shop. There you will find a wide selection of hams, pork grocery and delicacies from our facilities in Teruel.

Two delicious tapas recipes with cured ham from Spain (Jamón Serrano & Jamón de Teruel).

We are going to share with you two different recipes with cured ham (Jamón Serrano or Jamón de Teruel) , easy to prepare and delicious!.

First recipe: Bread sticks with cured  Ham from Teruel P.D.O.

Ingredients:

- 300 gr of (creamed) cream/creamy chees

- 2 tablespoons basil pesto

- 140 gr of bread sticks

- 90 gr of Ham from Teruel P.D.O. Antonio Mata

- 1 tablespoon walnuts
- Fresh basil

- Extra Virgin Olive Oil >K Canetera by www.antoniomata.com

Preparation:

Mix the cheese and basil pesto together in a small bowl until combined. Finally add  the nuts and chopped basil and  drizzle extra virgin olive oil> K Cañeteros on top. Wrap bread sticks with a slice of ham.

Serve the Bread sticks with cured  Ham from Teruel P.O.D into a tall glass with dipping sauce… And enjoy!

Second Recipe: Fruit And Serrano Ham Tapas ("Canapés")

Ingredients:

Fruit: 1 peach, 1 pear, ¼ melon

1 handful watercress, or rocket leaves or mint or basil or tarragon

10 slices of cured ham from Spain 

1. Make the peach and ham tapa.

Cut the ham into two long strips. Then place a slice of peach across it and roll it up. Skewer with a toothpick and then skewer a leaf of watercress on top. Repeat this process until you have used up all the peach slices.

2. Make the melon and ham tapa.

Cut the cured ham into half, then quarters and fold until you have made a little bundle.

Take a toothpick and place a watercress leaf halfway up the stem, then skewer a melon slice with it. Repeat until you have used all the melon slices.

3. Make the pear and ham tapa.

Cut the ham lengthways into two slices. Then place a sliced pear across and roll the ham around it. Place a watercress leaf halfway up a toothpick and skewer the rolled ham with it. Follow the same process until all the pear slices are used.

Just before serving the canapés (Tapas), drizzle a little olive oil  >K Canetera and lime or lemon juice over the fruit.

Ham in general and Teruel ham in particular, is highly nutritious and healthy.


"JAMON DE TERUEL" is much more than a Serrano cured Ham, do you know why?... We invite you to visit our page: HAM FROM TERUEL P.D.O. (EU Protected Designation of Origin) to discover one of the most famous Spanish cured hams. 

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Few days to go, and New Year 2012 will be here. With the advent of new year, a new era begins and with it comes new hopes and new possibilities. Every year teaches us some of life's most important lessons, and with that learning we put our step forward into the new year.

Antonio Mata S.L. Your Spanish Gourmet, wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year 2012.

Black truffle tasting menus at "Hotel Los Leones", Rubielos de Mora, Teruel, Spain.

Black truffle and the Rubielos de Mora Saint Mary´s Cathedral

Borage with clams, ham and black truffle

Teruel is the most famous Spanish province speaking about the "black diamond of the gastronomy":  black truffles (Tuber Melanosporum). Winter time is the perfect moment to come and enjoy the excellent and unique gastronomy with this delicacy.

The beautiful village Rubielos de Mora, (Spanish "citta slow") is one of the most reputed areas in Teruel when it comes to black truffles culture and gastronomy: http://www.rubielosdemora.es/

We kindly invite you to discover the " Hotel Los Leones" restaurant, to taste their special menus dedicated to the black truffle during its season: http://www.losleones.info/

Do you love Spanish gastronomy and Mediterranean diet?. Do not hesitate to visit our village and to taste and enjoy the original cook with ham and black truffle. You will never forget it!

In Antonio Mata, we are specialized in black truffles delicacies. For further information and of course if you want to buy truffles, you are welcome to visit our online shop.

Spanish Tapas: Jamón de Teruel (Ham from Teruel P.O.D) Recipe

Tapas are snacks, appetizers or canapés original from Spain. These small plates with or without a bread slice, are prepared in many different ways, including a wide range of ingredients. Tapas may be served cold, warm or hot, depending on the cooking.

The original tapa recipe with ham is very easy to make: serve on a plate the sliced and delicious Ham from Teruel P.O.D, for example, warm some toasted bread, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, open a bottle of good wine, relax and enjoy!

The excellent and special Ham from Teruel P.O.D.  it’s exclusive from Spain. The hogs are born, fed and raised in Teruel, a northeast Province of Spain.

          Ham from Teruel P.O.D., www.jamondeteruel.com 

The Spanish diet could be a prime example of the Mediterranean diet, and the Pork Cured Ham is one of Spain's most outstanding food products. The Mediterranean Diet has entered into the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. First time ever, social relationships are the base!. In Spain we mostly be happy and healthy when eating "jamón" in our diet...

Tapa with ham and vegetables

If you want to buy the best Spanish Ham-Jamón, you are invited to visit our Online Shop. There you will find a wide selection of hams, pork grocery and delicacies from our facilities in Teruel.