A crispy Pyrenean cake of mashed cabbage and potato topped with bacon.
Trinxat — meaning 'chopped' in Catalan — is Andorra's beloved mountain comfort food. Boiled cabbage and potato are mashed together, shaped into a round cake, and pan-fried until a golden crust forms, then topped with crunchy strips of bacon. Simple, satisfying, and deeply Alpine in character.
Serves 4
Cook cabbage and potatoes together in salted boiling water for 20 minutes until very tender. Drain thoroughly.
Mash the drained vegetables together with garlic, salt, and pepper until combined but slightly textured — not completely smooth.
In a large non-stick skillet, fry bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
Add olive oil to the bacon fat over medium heat. Press the mash into the pan as a flat cake. Cook 8–10 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms.
Slide onto a plate, top with crispy bacon pieces, and serve immediately.
Drain the vegetables very well — excess moisture prevents a crispy crust.
Press firmly with a spatula while frying for the best crust.
Add a fried egg on top for a complete meal.
Use smoked pancetta instead of bacon.
Best eaten fresh; reheat in a dry skillet to restore the crust.
Trinxat is a staple of the Pyrenean highlands, found in both Andorra and the neighbouring Cerdanya region. It was peasant winter fuel, built from cellar vegetables and cured pork.
Savoy or pointed cabbage are traditional; avoid red cabbage as it discolours the dish.
Omit bacon and fry the cake in olive oil — still delicious.
Per serving (260g / 9.2 oz) · 4 servings total
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