Pericana is a traditional savoury dish from the mountain villages of Alicante, especially around Alcoy and Jijona. Its main ingredients are dried red peppers, dried or salted fish and olive oil. It is served as a tapa, spooned onto bread or alongside other Mediterranean dishes.
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Origins and local variations
Pericana belongs to the practical cuisine of inland Alicante, where dried ingredients could be stored for long periods. There is no single recipe for the entire province. In Jijona, dried small fish known locally as capellanes may be used; in other villages salted cod is common. Names and preparations vary.
Pericana and esgarraet: are they the same?
They are related Valencian dishes, but not interchangeable. Pericana traditionally draws on dried peppers and fish, while esgarraet is often prepared using roasted pepper strips and salted cod. In the Elche area, a related dish is known as pipes i carasses.
Ingredients for Alcoy-style pericana
4 dried red peppers, 3 dried ñora peppers, 1 dried capellán fish or an appropriate piece of salted cod, 2 garlic cloves and extra virgin olive oil. If using salted cod, desalting and food-safety handling must follow the product’s instructions.
How to make pericana, step by step
First cook the dried fish appropriately and remove its bones and skin. Tear or chop into small pieces. Toast the dried peppers and ñoras briefly over gentle heat, without burning them; cut into small pieces. Finely chop the garlic and combine it with the fish and peppers. Add enough extra virgin olive oil to moisten the mixture and taste before adding any salt.
Dry and moist versions
Some home cooks serve pericana with a relatively dry texture, while others soften it with additional cooking or a little water. The result should be flavourful but not excessively salty.
How to serve it
Serve in small dishes with bread, as a tapa or as part of a Valencian meal. If making it in advance, keep it refrigerated and follow suitable fish-storage practices rather than assuming oil alone makes it shelf-stable.
Frequently asked questions
Does pericana contain fish?
Yes, traditional recipes normally contain dried fish or cod and are not vegetarian.
Is it spicy?
Usually not strongly, but the peppers and recipe can vary.