Recipe: Maresme Strawberries with Bouquet d’Alella Wines

Spring in the Maresme is full of color. It is a season of germination and transition, of optimism and energy, of a renewed seasonal rhythm and growth. The entire coastline becomes covered in vibrant landscapes announcing the stars of our gastronomy. Today, we celebrate one of the great protagonists of these Mediterranean shores: the Maresme strawberry, a privilege for its inhabitants and for all who come to visit us.

During this season, together with local producers, we celebrate the “Strawberry Season,” a series of festivities and fairs centered around this unique product from our coastline.

Bouquet d’Alella, another emblem of the region, features strawberries in its spring offerings as an ingredient to pair with its wines.

We would like to share one of the most original recipes presented during our events, workshops, and pairings: Strawberry Gazpacho paired with Bouquet d’Alella Blanc 2024.

A delicate and subtle dish to be enjoyed with refinement.

Recipe: Strawberry Gazpacho with Fennel

Ingredients

  • 500 g Maresme strawberries
  • 250 g fennel bulb
  • ½ tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup water
  • 100 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • Fennel leaves for garnish
  • Lemon zest for garnish

Preparation

  1. Wash the strawberries and remove the stems.
  2. Wash the fennel bulb, reserve the thin stalks and leaves, and chop the remaining fennel into small pieces.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine the strawberries, chopped fennel, garlic, lemon juice, water, and salt.
  4. Blend at maximum speed for at least one minute until smooth and homogeneous.
  5. Reduce the speed and slowly add the olive oil to emulsify the mixture.
  6. Adjust the salt to taste.
  7. Transfer the gazpacho to a pitcher or sealed container and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
  8. Stir well before serving.
  9. Serve cold in individual bowls and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh fennel leaves, lemon zest, and a slice of strawberry.

The pairing keys

Pair this original gazpacho with Bouquet d’Alella Blanc 2024.

Our Blanc is a dry white wine, elegant and aromatic, with notes of Mediterranean herbs and stone fruits. The fruity character of the wine makes it an ideal companion for strawberries. Fennel, a wild herb commonly found in the Mediterranean fields of our region, is reflected in the wine’s herbal finish, making it the perfect pairing for a subtle and fragrant dish such as our strawberry gazpacho.

Chef Annette Schroeder

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