Atascaburras

Atascaburras (lit. something that blocks a donkey's way) is a traditional dish originating from Albacete in the community of Castilla-La Mancha. The dish is made with a mixture of mashed potatoes, garlic, cod, olive oil, boiled eggs, walnuts, parsley, salt, and pepper. Once prepared, atascaburras should look similar to a mousse and have the texture of potato purée, but with more intense and rich flavors. This is a popular meal with the Manchego shepherds, who traditionally eat it to warm up and counter the bitter cold during winter. The name of the dish refers to the noise that the fork or mortar makes when the potatoes are mashed, which is similar to the hooves of a donkey when they get stuck in the mud.