Ruta de Atún

Sleepy beach town. Beautiful spring day. Food festival. Needless to say I kept feeling like I was walking through the streets of Pismo Beach, Capitola or any of my other California coast towns.

Zahara de los Atunes was the destination, with its annual tuna festival: Ruta de Atún.

Zahara de los Atunes dates back to the time of the Phoenicians and as the name suggests, known for their tuna fishing grounds. The 3,000 year old Phoenician almadraba style of fishing is still in use in this region when the tuna pass from the Atlantic Ocean back to the Mediterranean each year to spawn. Fishermen lower a maze of netting below the water and the red tuna swim in but cannot find the exit prior to the nets being raised from the sea.

Unfortunately for this Spain resident, around 80% of the fished tuna is exported to Japan for sushi. The extra layer of fat built in the stomach areas of the fish make the red tuna melt in your mouth. So yummy! Every May, after the the full moon the fleets hit the ocean to kick off the month long festival with the main event being the tapas weekend.

Local bars and restaurants take part by entering their tapa and letting participants vote. That's where we came in with our "ballot" and picture map showing us where to go. At each spot we paid our few euros for a tuna tapa and beverage. Talk about an easy day in Spain! There were no options, we just had to tell them how many orders we wanted and pick our drink of cerveza, tinto, o agua.

Our afternoon dabbling in food critiquing eventually turned to taking extra laps around the block inbetween stops just to give pace ourselves.

During our walks we stumbled upon a group performing at a little hole in the wall. Standing room only, people from the neighborhood took turns dancing sevillianas, the regional type of flamenco dancing. The lead singer had young and old alike moving from their chair or curb side to dance while the crowd joined in with singing. Yes, even these two Americans filled with tuna and beverages got caught up in the atmosphere clapped on the off beats and swayed with the music. 

Garlic Festival? Artichoke Festival? Squid Festival? Chestnut Festival? Gelato Festival? And yes, even the Fried Food Festival...I may have found the new favorito of you all.