Despite outside influences, Menorca has managed to evolve a cuisine that is all its own, and full of fresh Mediterranean ingredients. If you’re planning to visit the island, you can expect to find some of these Menorcan dishes featuring as mainstays on the menu.
Caldereta de Langosta
Literally, “lobster stew,” caldereta de langosta is arguably Menorca’s most famous local dish. The stew begins with a sofrito – a combination of onions, garlic, tomatoes, parprika, and peppers that forms the base of Spanish cooking. The lobster is then added to the sofrito and boiled. If you order caldereta de langosta in a restaurant, it will probably be served with thin slices of bread for mopping up the delicious juices.
Crema Catalana
Most closely related to the French crème brûlée, crema catalana is a rich and decadent dessert common through the Balearics and Catalonia, the autonomous region in the northeast of Spain. The treat consists of a thick, creamy custard flavoured with lemon, orange, and cinnamon. The sugar in the custard is then caramelized under an iron broiler, producing a glittering crust just begging to be cracked with a spoon.