Christmas in Malaga begins when the Christmas lights are turned on at the end of November. From this moment, the capital´s old town and specially the emblematic calle Larios becomes a shopping hub for the people from Malaga and its visitors, who come to enjoy the Christmas spirit. The same is true for other towns on the Costa del Sol, like Marbella, Ronda and Antequera.
This is also the best time to enjoy typical Christmas products. Here we have listed some of the most typical so that you don't miss out during your Christmas visit.
Iberian products
The Serranía de Ronda mountains are where most of the cured meat factories in the province of Malaga are found, although pork delicacies can also be found in other areas. In the Genal valley, pig farming has been one of its economic pillars since yesteryear, with the peculiarity that the pigs’ diet is complemented with chestnuts, as well as acorns, which gives them very special aromas, flavours and textures. At this time, more than ever, the celebratory menus always include pork and ham. We recommend that you order some as an aperitif in any restaurant.
Mantecado and polvoron biscuits
They look similar, but they are not the same. The polvoron biscuit is a type of mantecado (traditional biscuit made with flour, almonds and lard) that is more oval in shape with chopped almonds. They also are usually also dusted with icing sugar, whilst the mantecados are commonly covered in sesame seeds. The most famous are from Antequera, where they are a long standing tradition and have an unbeatable taste. If you visit Malaga capital city or any of its municipalities around this time they should be easy to find and to buy in any shop.
Malaga´s Roscos de Vino
The variety and quality of D.O. Malaga wines is the reason for Malaga´s fondness for these donut-shaped Christmas biscuits. And, they are also irresistible. From Muscat to Pedro Ximenez, each wine gives these biscuits a uniqueness, whether they are fried in olive oil or baked, but always well-covered in icing sugar.
Pestiños and borrachuelos
Together with other cakes made in convents like yemas (cakes made from egg yolk), these small delicacies are traditionally found at Christmas, although they are also available at other times during the year. Pestiños are puff pastry sheets fried in extra-virgin olive oil (also from Malaga) to which sweet Malaga wine and different spices give a great flavour. Borrachuelos are simply an enriched version of pestiños, filled with cider or cabello de ángel (pumpkin strands in syrup) or cooked sweet potato. They can be found covered in honey or sugar and cinnamon.
Sparkling wine
Although wines with the Malaga denomination of origin are the most widely renowned, Muscat sparkling wine (dry or sweet) is becoming increasingly common at Christmas celebrations. It is made with a grape originating from Alexandria by the winery Bodegas Quitapenas, who aim to pit it against other national and international sparkling wines.
