What is Sopa Perota?

The history of Sopa Perota

What ingredients are used in Sopa Perota?

Traditional Sopa Perota is made with simple, local ingredients. The exact recipe can vary from one family to another, but bread, tomatoes, peppers, onion, potatoes, garlic, olive oil and water usually form the basis. Some recipes also include asparagus, mint, saffron or paprika. Sopa Perota is sometimes served with olives, cucumber, orange or figs. It may sound like an unusual combination at first, but the fresh and sweet flavours of the fruit work surprisingly well with this hearty dish.

Día de las Sopas Perotas: a gastronomic festival in Álora

Día de las Sopas Perotas is an annual gastronomic and cultural festival in Álora celebrating the village’s traditional Sopa Perota. The festival normally takes place in October and attracts visitors from Álora and the surrounding villages. During the festival, the centre of Álora turns into one big celebration. Food is, of course, an important part of the day. You can taste Sopa Perota and discover other local products and dishes. But this festival is about much more than food. There are stalls selling artisan products, children’s activities, music and other cultural events. You can also hear traditional Verdiales, a unique style of folk music and dance originating in the province of Málaga.

One of the things we particularly like about this festival is that it hasn’t been created especially for tourists. Above all, it is a celebration for the people of Álora and the surrounding area. And that is exactly what makes it so much fun to experience. Thousands of free portions of Sopa Perota One of the highlights of the festival takes place at Plaza Baja de la Despedía in Álora’s historic centre. Huge quantities of Sopa Perota are prepared here and thousands of free portions are handed out. Watching the enormous pans and seeing how this traditional dish is prepared is an experience in itself. Be prepared for a queue when they start serving!

Don’t fancy waiting? Simply continue wandering through the village. Local associations and other participants also offer food and drinks during the festival. We actually think this can be even more fun. Pick up a plate of food somewhere, order a drink and find yourself a spot among the locals. There is no need to rush from one activity to another. Just watch, taste and enjoy.

Why is the Sopa Perota festival so special?

When is the Sopa Perota festival in Álora?

How to make Sopa Perota: the traditional recipe

Can’t wait until October? You can also make Sopa Perota yourself. As with so many traditional dishes, there isn’t one single recipe used by every family. The recipe below will give you a good taste of this typical speciality from Álora.

• 500 g white bread, cut into pieces
• 500 g tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 130 g peppers, chopped
• 130 g onion, finely chopped
• 125 g asparagus, cut into pieces
• 300 g potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped or crushed
• 250 ml olive oil
• 1 litre water
• Salt to taste

Optional:

• Fresh mint
• Saffron
• Paprika

To serve:

• Olives
• Orange
• Cucumber
• * Figs

How do you make Sopa Perota?

1. Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a frying pan and fry the potato slices with a little salt. Add the garlic if desired.
2. Once the potatoes are cooked and lightly browned, remove them from the pan and set aside.
3. Using the same oil, gently fry the onion, peppers and asparagus until soft.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for a few more minutes. Add paprika and saffron to taste if desired.
5. Taste and add a little more salt if necessary.
6. Return the fried potato slices to the pan.
7. Add the water and bring everything to the boil.
8. Remove the pan from the heat.
9. Cover the bottom of a large earthenware dish, or individual plates, with pieces of white bread.
10. Pour the hot mixture over the bread. Do not stir it. Allow the bread to slowly absorb the liquid. The bread should eventually be completely moist without too much broth remaining.
11. Leave the Sopa Perota to rest for a few minutes before serving.
12. Add some fresh mint if you like and serve your Sopa Perota with olives, pieces of orange, cucumber or figs.

Frequently asked questions about Sopa Perota

Where does Sopa Perota come from?

Why is it called Sopa Perota?

When is Día de las Sopas Perotas?

What can you do at the Sopa Perota festival?

Is the Sopa Perota festival worth visiting as a tourist?