The 'bull's ball' harvest is celebrated with a market in Coín this weekend

The Guadalhorce valley's 'huevo de toro' (bull's ball) tomato is one of the stars of Malaga province's summer harvest.

Every year restaurants in the area join an initiative to celebrate the bull's ball season the way it deserves, with a programme of foodie events organised by the Grupo de Desarrollo Rural Valle del Guadalhorce (Guadalhorce Valley Rural Development Group).

Throughout August, the 44 bars and restaurants that have signed up for the special bull's ball gastronomy route will make the tomato the main ingredient of their special dishes.

Most of the participating establishments are in Guadalhorce towns such as Alhaurín el Grande, Coín, Cártama and Álora, although others have joined in from further field, taking this year's tomato route as far west as San Pedro Alcántara and east to Caleta de Vélez, La Viñuela and Nerja, with numerous stops in Malaga, Benalmádena and Fuengirola in between.

There will also be an open-air market in Coín on 15 and 16 August with an exhibition, show cooking, competition and auction of the best huevo de toro tomatoes of the season.

Information on the restaurants and bars participating in the route is on the website http://www.tomatehuevotoroguadalhorce.com.

The site also provides information about the characteristics of this ancient variety of tomato, rescued from extinction by farmers in the Guadalhorce area.