Top 4 Castilian-Leonese Meat Dishes

Cordero asado is a popular Castillan dish made by roasting a whole lamb over an open fire. The lamb is usually marinated with lemon, garlic, and various fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme. Once it is properly cooked, cordero asado is typically accompanied by roasted potatoes and onions on the side. The dish is especially popular during the Christmas season.Expand

Lechazo is a Spanish dish consisting of a roasted suckling lamb. In order for the lamb to classify as lechazo, it must weigh between 5 and 7 kg and its age cannot be more than 20 to 30 days. The lamb must be fed only on its mother's milk, hence the name lechazo, derived from the word leche, meaning milk. Today, numerous restaurants in Spain specialize in lechazo, where they roast the lambs in traditional wooden stoves known as hornos de leña.Expand

Cochinillo is a Spanish dish consisting of a roasted suckling pig with succulent meat, tender and crispy skin, and a very thin layer of fat. The meat is so tender that it practically falls apart when cooked properly. The dish is served throughout Spain, and it is especially popular in the region of Castilla. The pigs should not be heavier than five kilograms nor older than three weeks, and they are traditionally roasted in large, open-faced brick ovens. One suckling pig can easily feed a party of four, and it is usually ordered in restaurants for birthdays and similar festive events.Expand

Olla podrida is a flavorful Spanish stew consisting of beans, chickpeas, pork, sausages, bacon, lamb, duck, and vegetables such as onions, leeks, cabbage, carrots, and celery. The stew is traditionally cooked in large clay pots over a long period of time, so that all of the ingredients develop a very tender texture. It is usually consumed during the colder months due to its nutritious and highly caloric properties.Expand