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, from breakfast preserves to accompaniments for evening asado.
The climate here in rural Córdoba, Argentina, is ideal for growing fruit, and the surrounding vegetable garden thrives alongside it. The only real challenge each season is finding ways to use it all before it turns.
Preserving food is a tradition that stretches back centuries at Los Potreros, and jars of pickles and preserves fill much of our pantry year-round. 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 long after the harvest ends - particularly through the winter months, when fresh produce is harder to come by and the pantry becomes an extension of the garden itself.
A firm favourite in the Los Potreros kitchen is spicy tomato jam, made using tomatoes grown in our own vegetable patch and finished with a kick of fresh chilli. It's a simple recipe, but one that captures the balance of sweetness and heat our chefs love to work with.
Beyond the garden, the kitchen also draws on the wild herbs that grow freely in the Sierras Chicas. Fresh mint is picked for tea, while sage pairs beautifully with homemade butternut squash ravioli. Other plants found growing wild 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.
Why not try a few of our favourite recipes;
From Garden to Pantry: Drying Herbs to Enjoy All Winter Long
