Neven continues his Spanish adventures

Neven Maguire continues his cullinary adventures in Spain with a fascinating visit to the home of one of the country's finest artisan pork producers. 

The Sierra de Aracena is in the north-western corner of Andalusia and is one of the least explored parts of the region. Small, white-washed towns like Aracena nestle between mountains, forests and oak meadows known as “dehesas”.  
This is where the black Iberian pigs are farmed, and these pigs produce one of the area’s finest delicacies, “Jamon Iberico”. 

Neven visits Cinquo Jotas, known throughout Spain as one of the best producers of this regional speciality. 
Aracena’s “Grotto of Wonders” brings many visitors to the area. Discovered at the end of the 19th century, the caves were opened to the public in 1914 – the first tourist caves in Spain. After seeing the caves, Neven discovers a bakery which is 175 years old and learns how the local speciality is made: thin strips of dough which are deep fried and formed into a block with cinnamon and honey.  
In Jerez, Neven joins Michelin-starred chef Juan Luiz Fernandez in his brand new, Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant for some of the most modern and imaginative cooking he’s enjoyed on this trip.  Neven’s own dish reflects the rural nature of the region -  Rabbit Stew with Chorizo.

Episode five of Neven's Spanish Food Trails will be aired on RTÉ One on Tuesday, October 9 at 8.30pm.