Bringing Galicia to Your Dinner Table
BY peter, February 5th, 2008
A friend of ours recently told us about percebes (goose barnacles), a type of shellfish that grows on rocks where water hits hard. They’re especially popular in Spain, where they’re steamed in stock or wine and served hot, much like mussels. They’re said to taste like crabs and even lobster although with a more snail-like texture. It’s a tricky process harvesting them, and in some instances, people have drowned going against the hard surf.
A percebes harvester.
A close-up of these mean-looking shellfish.
Why do we bring up percebes? Although we’ve yet to try them, we’re thinking they’d go super well with our February line-up of Barrel to Bottles: Albariño. These white wines from Galicia (that’s northwest Spain, by the Atlantic Ocean) are prized for their ability to pair with seafood, and nothing gets us excited like the thought of delicious (new) food and great wines. Check out all four bottles, and make it a point to pick up some fresh seafood this month!
An Albariño vineyard in Galicia.