Appetizer · Dinner · Mediterranean ·

Catalan Calçots with Romesco Sauce

Name: Catalan Calçots with Romesco Sauce
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: Calçots or large spring onions, 24, trimmed; Olive oil, for brushing; Sea salt, to taste; Roasted tomatoes, 2 large, roasted or grilled; Roasted garlic, 1 head; Dried ñora peppers, 2, rehydrated, seeds removed; Toasted almonds, 1/2 cup; Toasted hazelnuts, 1/4 cup; Day-old bread, 1 slice, toasted; Red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp; Smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp; Extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup; Salt, to taste

Dive into this iconic Catalan dish featuring tender green onions known as calçots, char-grilled and served with a rich and nutty Romesco sauce.

4.2(293 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 28, 2025

Catalan Calçots with Romesco Sauce — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Calçots

For the Romesco Sauce

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 324 kcal
Protein: 6.8 g
Carbs: 21.4 g
Fat: 25.4 g
Fiber: 5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1620 kcal
Protein: 34 g
Carbs: 107 g
Fat: 127 g
Fiber: 25 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Calçots or large spring onions 24, trimmed	200	6	44	0	6
Olive oil for brushing	120	0	0	14	0
Sea salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Roasted tomatoes 2 large, roasted or grilled	60	3	14	1	4
Roasted garlic 1 head	50	2	10	0	1
Dried ñora peppers 2, rehydrated, seeds removed	10	0	2	0	1
Toasted almonds 1/2 cup	400	15	14	36	8
Toasted hazelnuts 1/4 cup	212	5	6	21	3
Day-old bread 1 slice, toasted	80	3	15	1	1
Red wine vinegar 2 tbsp	5	0	1	0	0
Smoked paprika 1/2 tsp	3	0	1	0	1
Extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup	480	0	0	54	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Calçots

1
Preheat Grill
Preheat a grill to high heat.
2
Season Calçots
Brush the calçots with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
3
Grill Calçots
Grill over high heat until charred and tender, about 8–10 minutes.

Making the Romesco Sauce

1
Combine Base Ingredients
In a blender or food processor, combine roasted tomatoes, roasted garlic, ñora peppers, almonds, hazelnuts, and bread.
2
Add Seasonings
Add red wine vinegar and smoked paprika, then blend until smooth.
3
Emulsify
Gradually add olive oil, blending until the sauce is thick and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt.
Tip: Do not overblend the sauce or it may become too thin. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of water to reach desired consistency.

How to Make Catalan Calçots with Romesco Sauce

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Grill the Calçots
Char the calçots over high heat until tender and blackened.
2
Prepare Romesco Sauce
Blend all sauce ingredients until smooth, adjusting seasoning as needed.
3
Combine & Serve
Arrange charred calçots on a platter and drizzle generously with Romesco sauce.