Yesterday, Muro held its annual Fira de Tardor, encompassing the Fira de Sa Carabassa (pumpkin fair and competition), plus other highlights more. Farmers from Muro and outlying pueblos had entered pumpkins into the contest, weighing in at either 39, 44, 48 or 68 kilogrammes, but were beaten to victory by entry no. 7, the biggest pumpkin I have ever seen, with 98 quilos (that’s 15.5 stone!). The proud winner, a Joan Tomàs Moncades, gained a prize of 250 € in cash as well as the envy of his peers. After the contest, Joan was inundated with requests for semillas of his prized pumpkin.

Anybody interested in the gentle flavours of the Mallorcan pumpkin was treated to a gratifying sample of a bowl of Crema de Carabassa. I have not had any better, ever.

Other than pumpkins, there are numerous treats that await one in Muro all year round, amongst them a very capable Banda de Cornetes i Tambors, a resplendent Esglèsia Parroquial de Sant Joan Baptista with its imposing bell tower, the Claustre del Convent de Santa Anna dels Mínims, the fascinating Museu Etnològic de Muro, the Esglesieta de la Sang and some other highlights which I will tell you about some other time, if you want me to. A visit to this northern town is to be recommended in earnest.

Don’t forget, there will be the Fira de s’Oliva next weekend (November 21st and 22nd) in Caimari, and the weekend after that, the Fira de s’Esclatassang i la Muntanya, in Mancor de la Vall (November 28th and 29th).

The photo was taken in Muro, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: November 15th, 2009. The time was 12:52:51.