Local producer RANCHO GRANDE

In the north of Mallorca, not far from the beautiful beaches of Son Serra de Marina, in the district of Santa Magalida, is Rancho Grande, a 150-hectare estate where more than a hundred horses live. Horses have always been a passion for the family who own Rancho Grande, and that passion tends to be shared by those who come to visit, for excursions along the beach and surrounding land, as well as enjoying dinners and celebrations organised at the estate’s restaurant.

However, Rancho Grande is now home to a new breed of animal – the black pig known as porcella or, before reaching adulthood porcelleta, known in Spanish as cochinillo or lechona, and in English as suckling pig.

The porc negre or black pig is a native island breed that has been recovered in recent years and which has survived above all due to the demand for sobrasada and the production of porcellas for consumption. Rancho Grande has around 150 pure-breed sows for rearing.

The porcelletes negres roam freely at Son Serra de Marina from birth, in the estate’s forests, and feed according to the methods of extensive livestock farming. Most of what they eat is foraged, along with fruit from the typical trees that form part of Mallorca’s landscape: carob, fig, almond, strawberry and acorn. This natural, healthy diet and the freedom with which they live produces meat of exceptional quality that is perfect for all kinds of recipes, but particularly for porcella al horno or roast suckling pig, a traditional Mallorcan dish that is something of a must in just about every home at Christmas.

At the Rancho Grande restaurant, the dish is cooked every day, served with potatoes and salad, and can also be bought as a direct sale.