The city of Lleida has a cuisine that reunites the contemporary propositions with the gastronomic tradition of these lands. One of the characteristics of this place is the existance of vegetable gardens, close to the Segre river. All kinds of fruits and legumes are obtained from them, such as the Pears of Lleida with D.O.P.. Another vegetable from the region is the calçot, which is usually served with romesco sauce.
The most common meat is the pork, and with it many embutidos (sausage) are prepared in the region of Catalonia, a place with the biggest variety of delicatessen. Complete the experience of eating in Lleida with the classic Pa Pagès Català with I.G.P., which is very common in the are, and a piece of the delicious cheese from L’Alt Urgell and the Cerdanya. The snails are one of the most appreciated dishes in Lleida, and they can be prepared a la llauna, with sanfaina, brutesca and in many other ways. Another typical dish is the grilled meat, which is still being prepared with firewood in some places. Lleida celebrates the party of the Aplec de Caracol during May, a fair that attracts around two hundred people every year.
Other specialties that are common in the bakeries and food stores from the city are the cocas and the panadons, which are large empanadillas stuffed with spinach, raisin and pine nuts. Regarding the desserts, the city is famous due to the use of the butter of L’Alt Urgell and the Cerdanya (with D.O.P.), the turrón from Agramunt (with I.G.P.) and the elaboration of the granados, which are almond sweets that received their name from the composer Enrique Granados. The cuisine from Lleida can be served with the oil with D.O.P. Les Garriges and with some of the wines D.O. Costers del Serge or cava, produced in the city.