December is the month for delicacies

Sea urchins are generally known as eriçons de mar in Catalonia, and in some places on the Costa Brava they know them as garoines. However, in Sant Feliu de Guíxols they call them uriços. Whatever their name, they have their own fair in the Empordà seaside town.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols/www.guixols.cat

Craft products from the Vall de la Vansa and Tuixent have for 23 years been the focus of the fair devoted to local cheeses, herbs and spices, liqueurs and conserves. The annual fair is a great opportunity to learn more about the traditional food products of the Pyrenees.

Josa i Tuixén/ tuixent.ddl.net

Catalan woods are full of delicious wild mushrooms and aromatic fungi, such as the truffles. This latter product is particularly highly-prized and Centelles is the place to find them, in the Fira de la Tòfona, which gives visitors the chance to learn more about the different varieties.

Centelles/www.centelles.cat

Cardona was a bastion in Catalonia during the 18th century War of the Spanish Succession. A novel way of remembering the conflict is the food fair organised by the local town council, which recovers the tastes and flavours of 300 years ago. Eight local restaurants are taking part.

Cardona/www.cardona1714.cat

Two of the most typical products of Les Garrigues are olive oil and the ear-shaped pastries known as orelletes. Both are the protagonists of an annual fair in Pobla de Cérvoles. The days begins wit breakfast and a chance to taste both the olive oil and the delicious local pastries.

Pobla de Cérvoles/poblacervoles.ddl.net

Of all the Christmas fairs in Catalonia, Sant Boi de Llobregat's Puríssima holiday fair is one of the most traditional. This year is the fair's 69th edition and as always there will be lots of activities for the whole family. In all, some 500 exhibitors will have stalls and stands in the fair.

Sant Boi de Llobregat/santboi.cat