Jijona is famous for making Spanish nougat, but the town has also found creative ways to cook with it. Tapeando con Turrón, a gastronomic tapas route in Jijona (Xixona, Alicante), encouraged bars, cafés, restaurants and ice-cream makers to use nougat in savoury dishes. In historical editions, visitors could taste small culinary creations on May weekends. This is a history of the route, not a timetable for an upcoming event.
Índice de Contenidos
- 1 The beginnings: a tapas route in 2012
- 2 2017: the sixth edition
- 3 2018 and 2019: new combinations
- 4 2023: the tenth edition with ten establishments
- 5 Examples of tapas presented in 2023
- 6 What the route taught cooks about nougat
- 7 Is Tapeando con Turrón still organised?
- 8 How to recreate Jijona-style nougat tapas
- 9 Nougat cream and bulk formats for restaurants
- 10 Historical articles from our archive
The beginnings: a tapas route in 2012
Our blog archives include a 2013 account referring to a first route held in 2012. Combining traditionally sweet nougat with savoury ingredients was an opportunity for local chefs to experiment. Early ideas included pork tenderloin, duck breast, pericana, preserves and filled bread snacks. The objective was to show that Jijona nougat could be used beyond Christmas and dessert.
2017: the sixth edition
The sixth edition was announced for 5–28 May 2017. In addition to trying tapas, visitors were invited to discover the historic centre. The route included evaluation of the proposals by visitors and professional judges, according to historical reporting. These are historical dates, not a current event programme.
2018 and 2019: new combinations
The route continued in 2018. In 2019, the eighth edition featured ten establishments in the archive, with small pork burgers and nougat sauce, squid with nougat vinaigrette, crispy tenderloin, small sandwiches and sweet preparations. The archived 2018 and 2019 posts are useful records of the evolution of the event but their opening hours and participants must not be assumed to be current.
2023: the tenth edition with ten establishments
Jijona’s town council announced the tenth edition on 5 May 2023, documenting ten participating establishments and the assessment of dishes by a professional jury. The event illustrated how cafés, bars and restaurants could interpret a traditional almond sweet as a culinary ingredient. Our archived 2023 guide preserves the historical poster.
Examples of tapas presented in 2023
Historical entries include Bar Nou Xixonenc with pork tenderloin and nougat; Cervecería El Mosset with pork tenderloin, brie and Jijona nougat; Cervecería VicMo with a tuna tartare hemisphere, nougat powder and botarga; Restaurante El Casino with a nougat flamenquín; Restaurante El Trabajo with gamón and teriyaki-nougat sauce; and L’Entrepà with pulled meat and bulgur with Jijona nougat. These are historical competition dishes, not recipes we claim to have obtained from the chefs.
What the route taught cooks about nougat
The nougat does not have to dominate the dish. A small quantity can round out a pan sauce, add toasted-almond notes or lend body to a dressing. Crumbled hard Alicante turrón brings crunch; soft Jijona turrón and nougat cream are useful in blended sauces. The key is to balance sweetness against salt, savoury stock, acidity and fresh elements.
Is Tapeando con Turrón still organised?
This article documents editions through 2023. It does not claim an official schedule or confirmed participants for 2026. Before travelling specifically for the route, check the latest announcements from the Ayuntamiento de Xixona and local tourist information.
How to recreate Jijona-style nougat tapas
Our separate guide presents fifteen savoury tapas using nougat, with adaptations for home cooks and professional kitchens. You can also read individual recipes for fish, pork, croquettes, goat-cheese toast and vinaigrette. They are editorial recipes inspired by documented ideas, not official reproductions of historic participating restaurants’ dishes.
Nougat cream and bulk formats for restaurants
For repeatable results, weigh the amount used in each dish. Professional nougat cream, liquid preparations and blocks can be more practical than opening individual bars. Check the actual product’s almond percentage, sugars, allergens and storage information before developing a restaurant menu.
Historical articles from our archive
Xixona Town Council: 2023 announcement.
Fifteen savoury nougat tapas · Professional guide: cream, liquid nougat and blocks.