Rustic Escapade: A Day in the Spanish Countryside
Riding horses through fields of wild poppies, a homecooked meal, and fresh-pressed olive oil…
Escaping Barcelona for a day:
Tucked away between lush vineyards and rolling Spanish farmland is a quaint town called L’Ametlla de Segarra. We took a bus two hours outside of Barcelona to meet our host for the day, David.
Our host drove us down winding roads to his beautiful historical home, greeted by the picturesque scenery of olive trees, almond trees, and vineyards framed by a pale blue sky.
Horseback riding through the countryside:
Upon arrival, our host gathered the horses, and we helped prepare them for a long, leisurely ride to a small village and back (about 4 hours total).
We rode through a small vineyard, then down an unpaved road, surrounded by verdant green fields and rolling hills with patches of red poppies. The scent of wild thyme and rosemary perfumed each warm, languid breeze.
When we finally arrived at our destination, our host stopped by a bakery to buy a loaf of fresh bread for our meal later that afternoon. David then led us through the streets, giving the horses a short break before returning to his home.
Sharing a meal together:
Upon returning, we were famished and snacked on fresh bread, dripping it in olive oil that David had personally grown and pressed himself.
The oil had a vicious, smooth texture and a vibrant golden-green hue, while its taste was complex, bold, and peppery. The olive oil was so exceptional that I purchased a bottle from David, eager to savor it again after returning home.
Our host prepared Fideua, a dish similar to rice paella but made with short noodles instead of rice. The Fideua included fresh clams, muscles, squid, and was seasoned with sweet paprika and topped with a generous dollop of homemade garlic aioli.
We enjoyed our home-cooked meal in the beautiful backyard overlooking a natural pool.
For dessert, David prepared a traditional Catalan dish called Mel i Mato, which consisted of a Catalan curd cheese made from sheep or goat milk. The cheese had a texture similar to ricotta and was smothered in honey from local beehives and topped with toasted sesame seeds. After our meal, we swam in the natural pool before boarding the bus back to town.
Returning to Barcelona:
As we left the beautiful countryside behind, I felt grateful for the experience that we had just had. Memories from that day will always be close to my heart, and I hope to one day return to that small, charming town.
