How The Romany Family Is Reviving The Valencian Coca

In nan bosom of Dénia, a gastronomic revival is underway – 1 that’s taking a centuries-old crockery and giving it nan respect that typically only paella gets. At El Pont Sec, a family-run edifice beneath nan Montgó mountain, cook Carles Romany and his begetter Pep Romany are creating what they telephone a “revolution astir coca.” 

Coca – a flat, information guidelines topped pinch section ingredients – is 1 of nan astir accepted foods successful nan Valencian Community. To a tourist, it mightiness look for illustration a pizza, but it’s very good known successful Mediterranean history. “It astir apt predates pizza,” Carles says. “Visually, group subordinate it to Italian cuisine, but it’s ours — and that’s nan revolution: accepting what belongs to america and putting it proudly connected nan table.” 

What utilized to beryllium an mundane nutrient successful nan Valencian Community, coca slow vanished from mundane cooking arsenic menus evolved, and much modern dishes came into existence. For years it was mostly sold acold successful bakeries, but seldom seen connected edifice menus. The Romany family decided it was clip to alteration that. 

From their farmhouse edifice successful Dénia, they began moving connected nan accepted look and pairing it pinch section produce. “We wanted to bring backmost nan dishes our grandmothers made,” Carles explains, “but pinch today’s exertion and techniques.” 

At nan caller D*NA Gastronomic Festival successful Dénia, nan Romanys showcased their activity to visitors. Standing beside their guidelines connected nan Marineta Cassiana promenade, Carles proudly declared that coca now holds a spot “almost connected nan aforesaid level arsenic paella – an emblem of nan Marina Alta and nan wider Valencian Community.” 

Their paper changes pinch nan seasons, depending connected which section nutrient is nan astir popular. Summer mightiness bring aubergine aliases herb coca, while autumn has options specified arsenic botifarra (Valencian sausage) aliases anchovy. 

Not each cocas are savoury. The Romanys besides research pinch saccharine versions that astonishment people. Among their astir celebrated is simply a sobrasada and chromatic coca, and a caller standout made pinch carob – a section replacement to chocolate. “Instead of importing cocoa, we usage what we person here,” Carles explains. “Carob is our type of cocoa – it’s nan Marina’s own.” 

Coca has evolved from a forgotten nutrient into a modern awesome of Valencian identity. As Carles puts it: “The gyration lies successful embracing what’s ours – and reminding group really bully it’s ever been.”