The best of the Andalusian vegetable garden: gazpacho, salmorejo, strawberries, avocados

Andalusia is known for growing some of the best tomatoes in Spain, which are used in traditional recipes such as gazpacho and salmorejo. Andalusia also has amazing places where interesting fruit is grown: like large strawberries and berries in Huelva and the Costa Tropical in Granada where you can find avocados, mangos, custard apples, coffee and rum. As well as the beautiful landscape, coasts and culture, Andalusian gastronomy offers high-quality products to make traditional and avant-garde recipes.

Prized tomatoes are grown in Almería, such as ribbed, RAF and Ibériko varieties, while the plains of Granada specialise in cherry tomatoes. In Seville, production is divided into raw consumption and tinned food. Andalusia has tomatoes with their own names, such as the "bombón colorao" from Los Palacios and Villafranca, the varieties of Genaro, Matías, Panekra, Valderrama and Montaner.

Tomatoes from the Guadalhorce valley in Malaga are sold at weekly markets, where up to 30 different local varieties are displayed, many of which are organically grown. The tomatoes of Conil de la Frontera in Cadiz and Zafarraya in Granada are also very well known. The Tomato of La Cañada de Almería has a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and is produced in around 20 municipalities in eastern Almería.

In March, Almería becomes the Tomato Capital of the World with a great festival that takes place in the Paseo de Almería, where producers come with the best products. In the summer months, in Roquetas de Mar, there is a dramatised tour, "One City and Two Seas", which shows people how a greenhouse works and its importance for the town, and there are also tours of the fishing port and the Aula del Mar marine museum.

In Guadalhorce Valley, in Malaga, in August, there is a "Huevo de Toro" Tomato Gastronomic Route in which bars and restaurants from dozens of towns take part and you can taste dishes made with this variety of tomato. Andalusia is definitely a region with a diverse and high-quality vegetable garden, offering great-tasting products that are gastronomically worth exploring.

You can find more information about the best of the Andalusian vegetable garden here.