Valencia region
Between the market gardens, the lagoon and the hills of Alicante there is room for three things eaten across half of Europe by people who do not know where they come from.
Bomba from l'Albufera yields half as much as other varieties, and fewer people sow it every year. Xixona turrón is ground on stone. Mojama dries in the harbour air.
Paula still counts birds, now from the tractor. Enric asked for six months' leave and never went back. Rosa and Sara salt tuna two hundred metres from the sea.
Who works here
Paula Ferrer
Marjal de Sueca · Sueca
A biologist who sows only bomba so that l'Albufera still grows real rice.
Enric Garrigós
Torrons de la Sarga · Xixona
He asked for six months' leave in Madrid and never went back to the office.
Rosa y Sara Baeza
Salaors de Santa Pola · Santa Pola
Aunt and niece who salt tuna two hundred metres from the harbour.
