Have you ever tasted a sweet ear? Orelletes owe their name to their distinctive shape: that of a human ear. Behind this amusing name lies one of Ibiza’s oldest pastries!
Traditionally, orelletes were the dessert of celebrations. Ibizans served them at bodas, bautizos y comuniones (weddings, baptisms and first communions). After the banquet, they were handed out generously to the guests. This link with festive moments made them a symbol of sharing on the island.
A simple but indulgent recipe
Flour, four eggs, sugar, olive oil, salt and a touch of anise. Knead until you get a thin, smooth dough.
After resting for 45 minutes, the dough is rolled out very thinly, shaped into little ears and fried in very hot olive oil.
Final step: they are coated in a syrup of water, sugar and anise before being dusted with sugar.
The result? A thin, crisp fritter flavoured with anise that melts in the mouth. No butter or milk needed: orelletes are naturally dairy-free.
Every village has its shape
Surprisingly, the shape of orelletes varies from village to village. In Santa Eulària, they are plain and undecorated. In Sant Jordi, they are rounder, with decorative knots. A knowledgeable Ibizan could guess where an orellete comes from just by looking at it: a kind of pastry dialect.
Although similar pastries exist in Catalonia and the Valencia region, Ibizan orelletes have a texture and taste all their own.
Where to find them?
Forn des Tabaquet in Ibiza Town, open since 1972, is considered one of the best keepers of the traditional recipe. You can also find orelletes in most of the island’s bakeries all year round, especially during the village festivals.
To taste them at their most authentic, go to the Sant Joan festivities in June. That is when the tradition really comes alive: freshly fried orelletes shared with friends, in the festive atmosphere of an Ibizan village.
Do not miss this pastry on your next trip to Ibiza !
If you are on the island on 5 August, the patron saint’s day, look for greixonera instead: it is the dessert for that specific date.
To discover more Ibiza food specialities, start here.
