In the latest episode of his Spanish jaunt, Neven travels to the little-known town of Aracena, sampling the regional delicacy jamon iberico and visiting a 175-year-old bakery.
Having visited many tourist-favourites in Andalucia so far, in the latest episode Neven travels to Aracena, a small town of white-washed buildings and picturesque corners, nestled between mountains and meadows.
In this mountainous and fertile region, the famous black Iberican pigs are farmed for the region's most cherished delicacy, jamon iberico. Neven visits Cinquo Jotas, known throughout Spain as one of the best producers of this regional speciality.
Neven also gets a bit of sightseeing in, visiting the "Grotto of Wonders", a geological wonder that was discovered at the end of the 19th century and opened to the public in 1914, making it the first tourist caves network in Spain.
Having explored the caves, Neven scopes out a nearby bakery that has been operating for 175 years. Here, he encounters another regional specialty of strips of dough deep fried and bound together with honey and cinnamon. Shaped into a block, this luscious dessert is best enjoyed with a cup of strong Spanish coffee.
Next, Neven decamps to nearby Jerez, a stunning city with fortified Moorish architecture and a history of sherry production, where he meets Michelin-starred chef Juan Luiz Fernandez in his brand new, Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant.
Here, he samples some of the most inventive and surprising cooking he's seen on his trip, proving that tradition and invention can coexist.
As always, Neven soaks up all the gastronomical influences he comes across and treats us to his own interpretation of regional flavours. In this episode, his take on rabbit stew with chorizo.
Watch Neven's Spanish Food Trails tonight, Tuesday 9th October at 8.30pm on RTÉ One.
