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The Wild Asparagus Hunters are Out and About

It´s that time of year. Cars parked in odd places, the solitary person - usually a man, popping up above a bank or from behind an olive tree. The hunters of the wild aparagus are here. The plentiful rain scattered with a day or two of sunshine has brought them out in droves. Some have their route, others instinctively know where to go. They appear, walking back to their cars, with a huge bundle of foot long green spears of asparagus. And off they go, probably not to be seen for another year - or another week if the rain continues. No matter how hard the shoots try and hide the older men hunt them down with stick in hand, to fob off the spiky old growth, and uncover the tender new stems of wild asparagus. Everyone has their favourite way of cooking them but the most common seems to be in a Tortilla - the thick Spanish potato omelette to which you can add anything that comes to hand - or is hunted down. My one or two shorter stem finds don´t come close to the experienced hunters catch. I...

Spain's Prettiest Villages

More of Spain's prettiest villages have joined the increasingly popular 'Los Pueblos Mas Bonitos de Espana' association which now totals 44 gorgeous, historical small towns with a population of under 15,000 people.


Zuheros @LosPueblosMasBonitosdeEspana


Zuheros, just over the border into Cordoba province from my home province Jaen , is now one of the 'official' pretty towns or villages. I have to agree, over the twenty years of living here I've seen it from the main road with the looming Subbetica mountains behind and explored its nooks and crannies many times, it is delightful.

If you plan your visit well you might taste some of the local delicacies in the September 'Cheese Fair'. The Cuevas de Murcielagos or Bat's Caves are a great descent underground and overground it is on the Via Verde de la Subbetica part of the network of 'Greenways' that are walking or cycling routes on what used to be the old train network to transport olive oil to the south.

Where to stay? My own rustic holiday home - Casa El Reguelo makes an ideal, quiet, country spot for exploring this lovely region, it's about 40 km from Zuheros, 30 mins from Jaen city and in the Sierra Sur de Jaen, Spain's main olive oil producer.

See another of my posts with one of Spain's Prettiest Towns - Almagro

See the official website for more on Spain's Prettiest Villages



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