We’re just back from our Spring vacation (look at me and all my Americanisms) a week’s sojourn in Bayonne, the heart of the French Basque country. I love my food, and living in France is like landing in heaven. Then to spending a week in the French Basque country, is like arriving in a paradise of food. Yes, I literally ate my way through this holiday, as well as lolling around on a beach or two. We even ventured into Spain and introduced the kids to Pintxos. If you love your food, the French Basque country is the place to be!
The French Basque country, a paradise of food
Here are just a few of the delicious delicacies I have discovered. Some have made their way home with me!
The Foire au jambon or the ham fair
The city of Bayonne is famous for its ham, jambon de Bayonne. And they even have a festival to celebrate this wonderful charcuterie. The 555th Foire au Jambon took place 13 – 16 April honouring the production of this delicacy.
I have never been to a fair that celebrates a single food product, but this is France this is what they do! And we loved it. The town was buzzing, producers from across the region proudly offered us tastings of their goods.
The city was bursting with ham – slices, tranches, hunks, chunks and legs. In the excitement of it all, we bought a kilo of jambon de Bayonne which we will work through at our pleasure.
Gateau Basque
Now, this is scrumptious.
Gateau basque is a traditional dessert from the French Basque country and can be found in pretty much all the patisseries and is served up in pretty much every restaurant.
It’s buttery, a really buttery sweet pastry cake which is filled with either creme patisserie (vanilla creamy filling) frangipane (almondy creamy filling) or Basque black cherry jam.
My favourite was definitely the black cherry filling. I can only really liken it to a munching my way through a particularly delicious Bakewell tart minus the icing and glace cherry.
I am currently searching out recipes to make my own gateau Basque at home.
Cerise noir confiture, black cherry jam
Cherries from the French Basque country are grown in the high altitude of the Pyrenees mountains where they thrive in the cooler climate. And it’s these cherries that are used to make the famous French Basque cerise noir confiture or to you and me – black cherry jam.
ltxassou is the home of Basque cherry production, where recipes are passed down through generations of families. The cherries are harvested by hand in June and celebrated at the ltxassou Cherry Festival, Fete des Cerises.
A little jar of ltxassou black cherry jam has made it home with me. Mine incorporates a hint of piment pepper which just takes the edge of its sweetness, I’ll be using my black cherry jam to make my Gateau Basque.
Piment d’Esplette
I came across Esplette pepper during a cooking class I took here in Paris. It’s not a super spicy chilli but adds a nice warmth to your cooking. Piment d’Esplatte is used to make Piperade, a typically Basque dish.
Me, I like to add this chilli pepper to almost everything, it’s particularly great with a tomato pasta sauce, giving it an extra zing.
Piment d’Esplette or Esplette chilli pepper is probably one of the most famous exports from of the French Basque region. Chilli peppers first arrived in France in the 16th century from South America. Initially it was used for medicinal purposes before being added to food to flavour or preserve meats.
A bit like a fine wine this chilli pepper has it’s own AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controle) and is grown in 10 villages in the region including, of course, Esplette. And at the end of October, over 20,000 people come together to celebrate this fine pepper at the Fete du Piment.
If you are visiting the Basque region, then drop in on Esplette, it’s a lovely little village, dripping with chillis and where you can buy a jar of Piment d’Esplette!
Bayonne chocolate, the chocolate capital of France
We end back in Bayonne.
Of course, France is famous for chocolate, but in Bayonne is where the story of France’s chocolate began.
The Portuguese Sephardic jews fled the 17th century Inquisition and settled in Bayonne setting up the country’s first chocolate factories, and the rest they say is history.
Yup, you guessed it there’s a festival of chocolate. In May the annual Chocolate Days celebrates the city’s long chocolate heritage.
And is the chocolate good? It sure is, and my lucky kids got their Easter chocolate from Bayonne, but to them, chocolate is just chocolate, to be scoffed in a quick mouthful!
French Basque country food festivals 2017
- 13 – 16 April 2017 Foire au Jambon
- 26 & 27 May Bayonne Chocolate Days
- 4 June 2017 Itxassou Cherry Festival
- 28 & 29 October 2017 Fête du Piment à Espelette
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That chocolate looks incredible, definitely wouldn’t last long in my household. Thank you for sharing with #bigpinklink x
Hannah Jane recently posted…What My Kid Wore Wednesday #7
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That chocolate is now all gone!
I love European food, and it’s one of the best parts of going on holiday. My mouth was literally watering reading this post
Zena’s Suitcase recently posted…Summer Holiday Wardrobe Ideas With Nutmeg @Morrisons #KidsFashion
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It’s an amazing place to visit, so much to see, do and eat!
The pepper and choclate look delicious, not something that i would eat, but to keep as a decoration.
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Noooo! Must be eaten – that chocolate has already gone in our house!
I like the sound of that pepper. It sounds like what I need in my kitchen.
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It should be in everyone’s kitchen! Thanks for dropping by!
What a lovely range of foods. The chocolates look good 🙂 I love to look around stalls like this where you get to see something different.
clairejustine recently posted…Superfood Strawberry and Pine Nut Salad…
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The chocolate shops in Bayonne are divine!
Looks like a food paradise! Lots of different flavours and things to try 🙂
Musings of a tired mummy…zzz… recently posted…#20factsaboutme
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Definitely a fiesta for the tastebuds!
All that food sounds amazing. I’d love to try the dessert with the black cherry. I bet it tastes amazing!
Cath – BattleMum recently posted…Dragon Hunting at Tretower Castle near Crickhowell
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The food was brilliant, but hey it’s France! They take food very seriously there. I’m looking into recipes for gateau Basque with black cherry jam. Will keep you posted!
This is my idea of heaven, food heaven 🙂 #BloggerClubUK
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Oh yes a heavenly experience!
I am a vegetarian so sometimes struggle a little with French cuisine. It sounds as though they’d be plenty of choice here though! I love the sound of the chilli pepper 🙂 #BloggerClubUK
Jo recently posted…Picture Perfect
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Yes the French aren’t very forgiving when it comes to vegetarians and vegans, but things are slowly starting to change. Yes, the chilli pepper is rather yummy!
Ah the lovely Bayonne. The lovely french food. We lived in France for 14 years. I miss the fresh tasty food. You’ve taken me right back thank you.
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Ahh glad I could help you revisit a few fond memories!
This all looks so interesting! I’m not sure I’m brave enough for the chilli though
Lyndsey O’Halloran recently posted…Colour and Fun Children’s Stationery
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It’s not the burning kind of chilli just a pleasant warmth and glow!
I’m definitely a chilli person I only just had chilli for dinner today xx
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Me too! Love, love chilli!
My other half loves chilli so he’d love those! He literally adds chilli flakes to everything!! #MarvMondays
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We’re chilli lovers too!