Ham, oil and cheese

An important and unique element of the culture of the Maestrex Area is the gastronomic culture. Of particular importance due to their excellent quality are the meat products, because of the high quality of the meats as well as the climate: cured bull meat, goat´s feet, meat products in oil and pickled (spicy pork sausage, pork ribs, pork loins, rabbit and partridge).

Enjoying a well-deserved fame for its peculiar aroma and taste are the hams, cured naturally, and the cheeses of Tronchon, praised in the book Don Quixote, made with both goat's and sheep's cheese. Also worthy of mention is the tasty lamb – ''ternasco'' – no older than 2 months with the peculiar taste acquired from the pastures with abundant aromatic herbs (thyme, rosemary, etc.) where they are raised.

Olive oil is used at the table both at breakfast as well as at dinner, providing a profound and special taste.

A pleasure: cakes, cookies and nut wine

Confection and pastry are rooted in ancient traditions, many of them inherited from Islam in Spain, Duch as ''turrones'', almond ''mantecados'', ''tortas(cakes) de alma'', ''cuajadas'' (curds), ''almojábanas'', flans, ''cabello de angel''(''angel hair'') pastries.

There is a long winemaking tradition in the areas of Matarranya in the province of Teruel (Fuentespalda, Cretas and Valderrorres) and in the area around Sant Mateu, in the province of Castellon. These are fruity, full-bodied wines, mainly red, (based on the ''Garnatxa'' variety) which reach up to 14º and serve as the base for the excellent walnut liqueur or ''nogado'' wine.

In this liqueur, the wine is blended with eau-de-vie and walnuts gathered on the magical night of “San Juan”- the summer solstice – Its final decanting into bottles must be carried out only during a waning moon.

Pligrims, bull and party

The multitude of hermitages scattered throughot the territory are the site of numerous spring festivals. Associated with processions and miraculous passages, the purpose of these festivals was to honor nature, fight droughts, and favour good harvest. Of particular importance is the Villarluengo Prilgrimage to the Hermitage of Saint Peter of Montoro which is celebrated in April.

The bull is another protagonist of the festivals. In the morning or afternoon the ''encierros'' are held in which the animal runs through the streets of the village. At night the ''embolado de fuego'' is carried out, in which several flaming balls are placed on the bull's horns.

In addition, the symbol of the city of Teruel is a bull: The ''Torico''.

In winter, the most important festival is Saint Antón, linked to the protection of animals and the symbology of the struggle between good and evil – theatrical presentations of ''diablets'', in which fire is one of the main protagonists in the form of bonfires. Of particular importance are the playing in Mirambel and Valderrobres