ALICANTE INLAND - A CULINARY JOURNEY WITH MARUKA

A TASTE OF SPAIN WITH MARUKA

Our friend, Howard Goldsmith of Alicante Sunshine Villas, moved from Manchester to just outside the small village of Sax, in inland Alicante, over twenty years ago. This story is one of the reasons he loves it there and would never return to the UK.

Our elderly (elderly!! I’m 65) neighbours have adopted us as their children. Manolo and Maruka (Maria Eugenia) are 89 and 78, respectively. They live in an enormous townhouse where she was born, and she won’t sell it.

She wants to die there and pass it on to her son and daughter (yes, I was hoping!!). I have tried to convince her that her son and daughter have a responsibility to make their own lives. If she sold the house and bought a beautiful ground-floor apartment, she would still be passing on the same value. But it won’t happen.

My wife, Gail, loves buying Maruka things. Small gifts like a bouquet, a brooch, or ornamental ducks, which are an obsession of Gail’s. She thinks everyone shares the same obsession. It used to be ornamental cows, so at least the wrapping paper costs less. They truly love each other like mother and daughter, which is just as well since Gail’s parents haven’t spoken to her for almost two years. It’s such a shame that families have problems they can’t seem to get over.

Maruka makes traditional Spanish dishes for us on occasional weekends as a thank-you. It’s also an excuse for Manolo to down a bottle of wine or two. Maruka never went to school, but she made the rear of the property into a shop when she was just 12. She ran it successfully, despite being unable to read or write. She is amazing! She even organised a local builder to drill a hole in the outside wall for the shop’s front door.

On Saturday, she made one of my favourites, Gazpacho Manchego. It was spectacular!

Gazpacho Manchego is a hearty, warm meat stew from the La Mancha region of Spain, quite different from the cold Andalusian soup. It typically includes game meat such as rabbit, hare, quail, or chicken, and is cooked with garlic, tomatoes, peppers, olive oil, and various herbs. The stew is served over or mixed with torn pieces of flat, unleavened bread known as torta de gazpacho. This version had rabbit and liver, and she cut the torta de gazpacho into tiny pieces.

Fabulous! We brought a particularly good wine for Manolo, some excellent Jamón, and a Galician smoked goat’s cheese. It was so strong we could have whistled, and it would have made its way onto the table.

At Christmas, Maruka made a fantastic paella.

She has an old-fashioned BBQ in the garage, and the smokiness is perfect. She insists on using pine and almond wood and pooh-poohs other types with a look that says, “Some people have no idea.”

Her stories have us hanging on her every word. Manolo occasionally contradicts her, but she wafts a hand in his direction, another of her “some people have no idea” gestures.

The Love Story of Maruka and Manolo

Maruka and Manolo were previously married, although they have been together for more than 24 years. They used to meet in secret, and Manolo’s eyes twinkle when he thinks back to those times.

Long may Maruka, the Gazpacho Manchego Queen, keep us entertained and fed. Her culinary skills and warm heart make every meal a celebration.

Hidden Gems of Alicante

When you visit Alicante, don’t just stick to the tourist spots. Explore the hidden gems like Maruka’s home. You’ll find authentic experiences that you won’t get in a guidebook.

If you’re looking for local flavours, seek out family-run restaurants. They often serve dishes made from recipes passed down through generations. You might even find a Maruka of your own, ready to share her culinary secrets with you.

The large house spans from one street to another. The back of the house is Markuka’s old shop, and above it is her beautiful terrace.

Living in a small village like Sax has its perks. The sense of community is strong. Neighbours look out for each other, and friendships blossom over shared meals.

As you travel through Spain, take the time to connect with locals. Their stories and traditions add depth to your journey. You’ll leave with more than just souvenirs; you’ll carry memories of laughter, warmth, and delicious food.

You can view other ALICANTE INLAND reviews HERE.

You can follow us here;

INSTAGRAM - @renoirspanishguides

YOUTUBE - Renoir Spanish Guides

MIXCLOUD MUSIC - Mikeyb

TIKTOK - Renoir Spanish Guides

TWITTER - @RenoirGuides

FACEBOOK - Renoir Spanish Guides - Food, Drink & Places

HOME ABOUT

To help us keep the blog AD FREE, you could buy us a coffee. Please click on the link below ☕ Thank You. https://buymeacoffee.com/renoirspanishguides