CUISINE

MUSHROOMS

At Asparrena-Apota Mycological Park, within Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, you can learn about and hunt for a variety of mushrooms. Remember that wild mushroom, flower and berry foraging is regulated by law! You should also know the mushroom foraging guidelines.

Asparrena-Apota Mycological Park

Within Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, to the north of the centre of Araia, lies this Mycological Park on more than 1,000 hectares of land.

Asparrena-Apota Mycological Park is inside Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park. Here, you’ll be able to find wide variety of local flora including berries and mushrooms.

Its forests offer a wide range of mushrooms, foraging of which is limited to foster responsible and sustainable use of resources. For a number of years, licenses have been required to pick mushrooms, berries, plants and flowers.

The Visitors’ Centre organises frequent free guided mushroom tours where you’ll learn everything you need to know about mushroom types and how to consume them. Mushroom hunting is free throughout the tour.

Some mushrooms you can find include chanterelles, cinereus, yellow foot, ashen chanterelles – known as black trumpets – yellow trumpets, saltsaperretxiko hori, golden chanterelles, saltsaperretxico horilun and Marasmius oreades, known as fairy ring mushrooms

Mushroom Foraging in Álava

Wild mushroom, flower and berry foraging is regulated by Provincial Decree 89/2008, of the Provincial Council dated 14 October, regulating the stewardship of the use of wild mushrooms, plants, flowers and berries in Álava.

Mushroom foraging guidelines

  Mushroom foraging in the Alavese part of Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park is free up to 2 kg per person per day, except in Asparrena-Apota Mycological Park.

  The Provincial Council of Álava has the right to limit picking days to protect the resource

  Do not move the soil and dig out mushrooms.

  Do not use any implements other than a knife or switchblade.

  Carry picked mushrooms only in baskets that allow air to flow and spores to fall. No plastic bags, backpacks or similar bags can be used to pick mushrooms.

  Do not pick mushrooms before they are fully grown.

  Leave any broken mushrooms or mushrooms past their prime where they are.

  Only three samples can be taken for scientific, identification, collecting or other purposes.

  Mushrooms may only be damaged for the purposes of taxonomic identification.

  No foraging between sunset and sunrise.

Restrictions and penalties

  Foraging of protected species or those classified as threatened is prohibited by law.

  Violations of this law may result in a fine between 30 and 250 euros, in addition to seizure of the unduly collected mushroom and payment of damages.

More information:

Aizkorri-Aratz Visitors’ Centre

Intuxi Kalea, 48. Araia

Tel: 0034 945 38 69 64 / 0034 688 62 99 32

parketxe.aizkorriaratz@gmail.com

OTHER DELICACIES

The cuisine of the Alavese Plains speaks of the past and present, the history of the people of the region and their way of life. Tasting ingredients and dishes from the plains means experiencing the land with all five senses.

If you come to this small corner of Álava, you’ll discover authentic, sustainable, delicious local produce. You can try it in our restaurants, on a guided tour or after buying it straight from the producers.

In November, you can also experience the Alavese Plains Culinary Festival, an essential event where the star ingredients in our cooking (cheese, bread, mushrooms, game and potatoes) are front and centre.

POTATOES

One of the most commonly planted and eaten crops in Álava is the potato. The French government brought large shipments of potatoes to Álava during the Peninsular War to supply its troops, and the tuber has been a feature of the province’s fields and cuisine ever since. The potato may be a simple food, but it can be at the fore of complex, mouth-watering dishes.

PULSES

Although Álava is known for Alavese pinto beans, the star of our cuisine, the Alavese Plains also produce Pedrosillano chickpeas, red beans, and lentils.