Coca

Catalonia, Spain

It might be easy to get these divine Spanish pastries mixed up with South America’s less ‘savory’ export, but it’s well worth getting to know more about scrummy coca from the Catalonian region of Spain…

The name for theses tasty pastries shares the same etymology as the German kuchen and the English cake. They may sound sweet and cakey, but in fact these Spanish pastries are typically light, accompanied by a multiplicity of tempting toppings!

There are all sorts of different kinds of coca to be found across the Iberian peninsular, but the originals come from Catalan. Sweet, savory, open and closed – the styles vary but the heart of the dish remains the same: A decorated and baked dough, topped with the finest seasonal ingredients.

Types of Coca

If it can be made from a light dough, it can be a coca. There are all sorts of different styles of coca, from the closed coca which is a form of filled Spanish pie or pastry, to the open coca which is presented as a topped flatbread or tart. The open coca is perhaps the best known and most immediately recognizable variety. Alternative coca are served closed with a hole or even completely plain so that diners can add toppings themselves – a little bit like a taco.

Famous Coca Varieties

Coca de Trampo – Found in Mallorca and the Balearic Islands, this open pastry is traditionally topped with roasted red and green peppers and onions.

Coca de San Juan – This is perhaps the most famous Catalonian coca of all. It is a sweet, open coca made for the celebration of St John’s Eve. It is light, sweet, delicately spiced with cinnamon and packed with candied fruit.

Coca de Recapte – This is a varied, flatbread style coca which can be topped with pretty much anything you desire! Roasted vegetables are essential and eggplant is common, but you will also find sausage and anchovies atop a coca de Recapte.
Coca de Llanda – A sweet, fluffy coca from the Valencia region. This is a ‘cake’ in the more conventional form, full of sugar, cinnamon and just a little lemon juice.

Coca de Xulla – This is a really interesting looking, savory, open coca which hails from the mountainous interior of Spain. Topped with chorizo, sausage, bacon and other salted meats.
Intrigued by coca? Why not try our selection of mini coca available from our pan-Spanish menu? Drop into Ataula to enjoy real Spanish flavor from across the Iberian peninsular. Reserve your table at Portland’s favourite Spanish restaurant today on 503-894-8904 or right here online.