Fish in the mountains? Yes, and it’s a real delicacy! Although many travelers may be surprised to find a seafood dish deep in the interior of the province of Valencia, Alpuente and the Serranía region proudly preserve spectacular cod-based recipes.

Historically, thanks to the technique of salting, this fish defied long distances and became an indisputable pillar of our traditional cuisine.

Gastronomic Context: The Wisdom of the Serranía

In the Alto Turia region, you’ll find authentic cuisine adapted to the climate and terrain. Our traditional recipes reflect an admirable philosophy: combining simplicity, nutritional value, and making the most of the land’s resources.

Time-Honored Ingredients (Simple and Natural)

Potatoes, cod with skin and bones removed. Eggs. Garlic, parsley, salt, and olive oil.

The Ritual of Traditional Preparation

Boil the washed potatoes with their skins on. In a skillet, sauté finely chopped garlic and parsley, then add the cod and stir quickly a few times. Peel the potatoes and mash them in a bowl. Add the cod and the yolks of three eggs, stirring until you have a smooth mixture with which to shape the meatballs. Dip them in beaten egg whites and fry them in plenty of very hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, but fluffy and soft on the inside.

A Treasure with a Local Identity

This dish is the very essence of Alpuente. It ingeniously uses the ingredients that were historically found in the pantries of the Serranía, transforming necessity into a culinary art that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Cod Meatballs