The “galera” (Squilla mantis) is a crustacean native to the Mediterranean, especially along our coasts.

It usually measures between 12 and 18 cm, but can reach up to 20 cm. Its colour is yellowish or brownish, with ridges often reddish and bluish. It typically lives at shallow depths, in sandy and muddy bottoms, where it digs its own burrows. They reproduce in the spring, and the females are ovigerous (carrying eggs) throughout the summer. Although it is most appreciated culinarily between January and March, when the “galera” is full of eggs and its meat is tastier. We can recognize it because along its body, we can distinguish the stripe of its orange-colored eggs. It feeds on other crustaceans and fish. The “galera” is commonly sold fresh in supermarkets and markets.

In recent years, its value, recognition, and fame have been on the rise. In the past, it was mainly used to add flavour to seafood dishes or to make fish broth; gradually, this has changed, and nowadays, we enjoy it as the main ingredient in a dish, such as fried, grilled, baked, or in a broth, for example, a fish broth with “galeres”.

It is a typical product of our coasts and, therefore, a specialty of dishes from L'Ametlla de Mar. We can enjoy it, for example, in a fish broth with “galera”; with rice, spinach, beans, and “galera”; simply baked, where we can savour all its flavour; or made with onions and tomatoes. Another very typical recipe for “galeres” is with “fideus”, fesols (white beans), broccoli, and “galeres”, etc.

Also, nowadays, it is the name of the "Gastronomic Days of the “galera” of the Ebre Lands," in which the towns of L'Ametlla de Mar, Alcanar, L'Ampolla, and Sant Carles de la Ràpita participate. These events are held around February and March. Various restaurants in these towns offer menus with “galera” as the main ingredient.

Text: L’Ametlla de Mar Turisme.

Photos: L’Ametlla de Mar Turisme.