Gathering, preserving and enjoying fresh produce at Estancia Los Potreros
As we move into autumn, the trees in the garden at Estancia Los Potreros become laden with a wide array of ripening fruit. Crisp apples are ready to enjoy - if they haven’t already been snaffled by a passing horse - while juicy figs find their way onto our plates in many different forms.
The climate here in rural Córdoba, Argentina, is ideal for growing fruit; the only real challenge is finding ways to use it all.
Preserving food is a tradition that stretches back centuries, and jars of pickles and preserves fill much of our pantry at Los Potreros. As a working estancia that is self-sufficient in energy, producing shelf-stable goods is another way we reduce electricity consumption and food waste. Autumn is the perfect time for our chefs to make the most of this abundance, transforming fresh fruit into jams that can be enjoyed year-round - particularly through the winter months, when fresh produce is harder to come by.
A firm favourite in the Los Potreros kitchen is spicy tomato jam, made using tomatoes grown in the vegetable patch and finished with a kick of fresh chilli. Below is our recipe for you to try at home:
Beyond the garden, the kitchen also makes use of the wild herbs that grow in the Sierras Chicas. Fresh mint is used for tea, whilst sage pairs beautifully with homemade butternut squash ravioli. Other plants found in this area include chachacoma, traditionally used to help with altitude sickness, and carqueja, a herb commonly used to support digestion and liver health.
At Estancia Los Potreros, cooking with the seasons and using fresh, locally grown produce is at the heart of daily life. From garden-to-kitchen jams to wild herbs harvested in the Sierras Chicas, every ingredient reflects our commitment to sustainable farming and self-sufficient living. Guests visiting our Argentine estancia can experience authentic farm life, seasonal cooking, and the rhythms of rural Córdoba while enjoying the natural abundance of this special place.
