There are dishes you enjoy — and those you remember. Lechazo asado belongs to both. It is the soul of Castilian cuisine, a recipe that has journeyed from Roman times through to the Middle Ages — when the rise of livestock guilds spread its consumption — and still moves anyone tasting it for the first time. In Palencia, a land of shepherds, clay ovens and honest recipes, this delicacy reaches its finest expression.
Centuries of Tradition in Every Bite
Its origins trace back to the 13th century, when shepherds from the Castilian plateau began roasting lechal lambs of the Churra breed. These animals, fed exclusively on their mother’s milk and slaughtered at around one month old, produce a meat that is tender, juicy and delicately flavoured. This is lechazo, now protected by the PGI Lechazo de Castilla y León, and celebrated across the region as a symbol of hospitality and festivity.
And if there’s a way to truly honour this tradition, it’s by preparing it as it has always been done: with water, salt and fire. Nothing more. Nothing less.
The Secret Lies in the Oven... and Patience
The ritual begins with a traditional wood-fired oven and a clay dish. The lechazo is placed skin-side down, bathed in water and sprinkled with salt. It is then slowly roasted for around two hours, turned over, and finished with a blast of heat to crisp the skin into a golden, crackling crust.
No sauces. No unnecessary sides. The flavour comes from the meat, and the aroma from the fire. All it needs is a good Ribera del Duero or Cigales wine — and maybe a crust of bread to mop up every last drop.
More Than a Dish — An Experience
At the Hotel Castilla Vieja restaurant, we know that preparing lechazo is an art — one that demands respect, premium ingredients and just the right amount of time in the oven. That’s why every portion we serve retains the spirit of the old Castilian asadores: crispy on the outside, succulent within, rich yet refined.
Enjoying it in our dining room, with a glass of Ribera in hand and the aroma of wood smoke lingering in the air, is a feast for all the senses. And if you’ve never tried it on its home turf — this is your moment.
Book Your Table and Savour Castile Like Never Before
Lechazo asado is no passing trend — it’s a living legacy. And in Palencia, cradle of flavour and tradition, it continues to reign with pride. Come and discover why this dish has delighted diners for centuries.
At
, we await you with the oven glowing, the table set — and a taste of Castile you’ll never forget.