A Celebration of Fried Breadcrumbs: Migas Festival in Torrox pueblo

Posted on by under Axarquía, Fiestas and Festivals, Laws and Customs

You might not expect ingredients for the perfect Christmas party to include 2000 kilos of flour, 500 litres of olive oil and 3000 litres of sweet Moscatel wine, but that´s exactly what´s required  to cater for the 40,000 guests who visit the annual  Migas Festival in the village of Torrox.

Many towns and cities throughout the world have unique dishes that encompass their overall culture and tradition.  Migas is a traditional Andalucían peasant dish often made from breadcrumbs, although in Torrox the migas are made with flour.  Normally served as an accompaniment to a main dish, of fried fish for instance, migas comprises of fried bread crumbs liberally laced with garlic, and may also contain small pieces of chorizo, ham or peppers.

Each year, on the last Sunday before Christmas, (so, this coming Sunday – December 23rd 2012)  this gastronomic festival which has been declared of “National Tourist Interest” by the Junta de Andalucía, will serve more than 40,000 visitors. 

Whoever said “there is no such thing as a free lunch”,  obviously had never visited Torrox pueblo!

From early in the morning, teams of cooks prepare the migas for free distribution to local residents and visitors to the festival.  The ringing of a bell is the signal for everyone to come and collect their plate of migas, which is served with a glass of local wine and an “arriera” salad  (made with oranges,  tomatoes, potatoes, onions and olives) to accompany the meal.

There is plenty to do during a day at the Migas festival  because as well as free food and drink there are many craft stalls, traders selling fine cheeses, chorizo, cakes, nuts and sweets, the opportunity to enjoy guided walks through the village, and street artists, as well as choirs and local dance groups, who all help to create a wonderful festive atmosphere.

Of course, in true Spanish tradition, this is just another excuse for a party, but on a warm, sunny December day, why would you not pursue that with some vigor?

(BTW – didn´t they do well getting Angeline Jolie to pose for last  year´s poster?  😉

You might also enjoy:

La Noche de San Juan: Families, fires and football!

The heart of Cómpeta: El Paseo de las Tradiciones

CBBH Photo Challenge: Simple Pleasures

 

60 thoughts on “A Celebration of Fried Breadcrumbs: Migas Festival in Torrox pueblo”

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  11. Love this post, and find it interesting that in Mexico there is a dish called Migas that are made with fried torn up bits of corn tortilla that can be mixed in with egg, or any cooked meat. We love to mix the tortilla with left over chicken and tomato.

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  13. Marianne, I am wondering as I type this if you are in Torrox enjoying your migas! Spanish fiestas are the best parties and you can probably find one happening somewhere in Spain every single weekend. There seems to be no shortage of reasons to celebrate. Thanks for taking us along to this one!

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  14. I LOVE migas! We just had some. Too bad we just went to Torrox last week, so not very likely to get over there again. Oh well, just as well, as we hate getting up early and I also dislike crowds. But it sounds like so much fun.

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  19. Now that must be some party to draw 40,000 people! And for bread crumbs, no less. It just goes to show, Marianne, that people will use any excuse to throw and attend a party. I must say, though, the food you mentioned does sound very good and that December sunshine is making me jealous! 🙂

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    • When I first heard about the Migas Festival a few years ago, I laughed, and couldn’t really believe what it would all be about.

      Andalucia has historically been a very poor area within Spain, and much of the traditional food is, what might be termed as, “peasant” food. The folks had to make-do with whatever ingredients they could grow or could get their hands on, readily. You might remember some time ago I posted a recipe “poor man’s potatoes” – well, that’s all about the same kind of thing. Making the most of the simple ingredients available.

      You’re right though about it drawing so many people. The population of Torrox village (including the surrounding countryside) is only 12,000 – so to swell to 40,000 for this one day is quite something!

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  20. Great post and lovely pictures! I also notice the sausages and cheeses. Another great thing about the Spanish is that they organise a festival to eat one thing and end up eating a million other foods as well!

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    • Thanks Simon. You’re right about the food though. There was the most enormous BBQ going on in the background as well. Quite a celebration 🙂

      Thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated.

      Reply

  22. Exactly what I love about Spain – the events truly are a fiesta!!! Look at the hordes of people. Something to. Love looking at and then the food share – extra to relish. What a real happy Christmas celebration you imparted us. Thanks for the share!

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  27. Wow, that looks great. I love the Spanish attitude to parties – the more, the merrier! Those migas look pretty tasty, though the ones I tried from Mercadona were terrible.

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