Potaje rociero

1 kg. / 2 cups chickpeas
2 tomatoes
2 red peppers
1 onion
1 head of garlic
2 bay leaves
3 carrots
1 tsp sweet paprika
2 chorizos
2 black sausages (morcillas)
250g pork meat
200 gr of bacon
2 - 3 slices of hard bread
Salt, olive oil & pepper 
cumin and nutmeg to taste



Leave the chickpeas to soak 24 hours in warm water with a pinch of salt. Change the water twice in that time. 

After 24 hours set the chickpeas in a pot with the peeled and chopped tomatoes. Then add the half of the head of garlic, unpeeled cloves of garlic. Following bay leaves, the sliced carrots, chorizo ​​and morcilla cutted in medium slices. Then we add the pork meat and the diced bacon, olive oil and sweet paprika. Pour water until covering all the ingredients and let it cook for about 60 minutes over low - medium heat. Add salt to taste.  

In a frying pan add the red peppers and onions diced. Lightly fry with olive oil, along with the other half of the head of garlic (peeled this time) Add diced hard bread after 5 minutes. 

Add cumin to taste and blend in a mixer with half a glass of water. Add to soup and let it cook. Once it is cooked add a a pinch of salt if need it, pepper and nutmeg to taste. Let it cool for 10 minutes and serve. 

Gazpacho Rociero

1 /2 kg of hard bread
2 very ripe large tomatoes
1 tsp of sweet paprika
5 or 6 cloves of garlic
1 large cucumber
2 glass of water
diced green and red pepper

olive oil, salt and white wine vinegar to taste

Wash the tomatoes and the cucumber properly and chop into squares. Set aside. 

Peel the garlic and in a mixer glass add all the ingredients. Once it is well crushed, strain with an strainer and let it cool in the fridge for 2 hours. 

Before serving add olive oil and vinegar to taste. Add diced green and red pepper on top. 

Tips_ You can add oregano on top for extra flavour. 

Origen_ This recipe is used in El Rocio pilgrimage for hidration after long walking days. 

ROMERIA DE EL ROCIO: Long tradition with their own recipes

The Pilgrimage of Romería de El Rocío, is a manifestation of popular Catholic religiosity Andalusian in honor of the Virgen del Rocío. The first reference a -Rocio virgin devotion in the area dates from XIV century, it is in a book of Alfonso XI. 

The Romería (known also as El Camino) is celebrated the weekend of Pentecost, on Sunday will be ending. The Virgin is in the Hermitage of El Rocio, Almonte is in the village with the same name, in the province of Huelva. Groups of people called Hermandad will be taking care of the organization. 




After traveling on foot, on horseback, in wagons or in carriages, even passing by the Doñana park, a huge crowd of devotees arrive to the gates of the Hermitage, where they perform what is popularly called "el salto de la reja". 

Then they bring out Rocio Virgin also called 'Blanca Paloma' in procession. She is carried on the shoulders of the village. The route is full of people singing old tradional songs, dancing tradionally, celebrating and praying. 

You can check here for extra information http://www.andalucia.org/en/el-rocio/