Podcast Summary: Cuerpos Especiales - "Zucaina (Castellón)"

Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts: Eva Soriano, Nacho García, y Lalachús
Guest: Carmen (embajadora rural de Zucaina)

Main Theme

This episode of Pueblos Especiales, a segment of the morning show "Cuerpos Especiales," spotlights Zucaina—a small village in Castellón, Spain. The hosts connect live with Carmen, a resident, who shares the charm and quirks of her hometown while vying for listeners’ votes in the "Pueblos Especiales" contest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Zucaina

• Location & Size:
  • Zucaina is in Castellón and is described as very small.
  • Population: About 170 registered, but under 100 live there during colder months.
    • "¿Empadronada? Ciento setenta y algo... Viviendo ahora... 100 o menos." (Carmen, 00:51)

2. Historical & Architectural Interest

• Cabañiles/Trenches:
  • Carmen mentions old "cabañiles" (possibly trenches from wartime), but their true history is somewhat mysterious.
    • "Son bonitas y tal, pero no..." (Carmen, 01:32)

3. Gastronomy

• Local Cuisine:
  • The traditional dish is "olla de nabos" (turnip stew), prepared mainly by the older women in the village.
    • "Sí, aquí hacen una olla de nabos, creo que es." (Carmen, 01:44)
    • Humorous interlude when Eva jokes:
      "Una olla de nabos, como llamo yo un sábado." (Eva, 01:50)
  • Nacho follows up with questions about the preparation, but Carmen admits she’s never made it herself.

4. Social & Village Life

• Bars:
  • Despite the small population, Zucaina boasts three busy bars.
    • "Hay 170 y pico personas y tenéis tres bares." (Nacho, 02:39)
    • Carmen reports all three operate "a tope."
    • "Cada día tienes que turnar. Cada día tienes que ir a uno para no quedar mal." (Carmen, 02:51)
• Community Dynamics:
  • Highlighting the sense of community—everyone knows each other, and absence at a bar is noticed.

5. Seasonality & Population Fluctuation

• Verano vs. Invierno:
  • Zucaina is described as a summer town, with the population tripling during the warmer months—leading to a much livelier atmosphere.
    • "En verano se puede triplicar." (Carmen, 03:15)
    • "En verano no hay silencio." (Carmen, 03:17)

6. Alegato Final: Why Zucaina Should Win

• Final Plea:
  • Carmen delivers a heartfelt argument for voting Zucaina as the most special village:
    • The town faces depopulation risk.
    • Beautiful nature and landscapes, nearby senderos (hiking trails), and proximity to Peña Golosa.
    • Community spirit—people are friendly and always willing to help.
    • Only six children remain in the school, emphasizing rural challenges.
    • "Ojalá que venga más gente a verlo y que sea el más especial, que la verdad que nos lo merecemos." (Carmen, 04:27)

7. Light-hearted Moments

• Cachopo Banter:
  • After Carmen doesn’t mention making cachopo (a large breaded meat dish from Asturias) at the bar, Eva jokes that a good cachopo is wherever it’s made well.
    • "El cachopo es típico de donde te lo hagan bien." (Eva, 05:00)
    • Carmen responds: "Bueno, pues aquí lo hacen bien." (Carmen, 05:02)
    • Nacho adds: "Un buen cachopo llega de Asturias a Castellón." (Nacho, 05:04)
  • The hosts and guest laugh about bending food origins for good cooking.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On local architecture:
  "Son bonitas y tal, pero no."
  — Carmen, on the uncertain history of the cabañiles ([01:32])

• On village bars:
  "Cada día tienes que turnar. Cada día tienes que ir a uno para no quedar mal."
  — Carmen, on village bar etiquette ([02:51])

• On summer influx:
  "En verano no hay silencio."
  — Carmen, describing Zucaina's vibrant summer ([03:17])

• Plea for rural recognition:
  "Estamos en riesgo de despoblación y la verdad es que nos viene bastante bien que Zucaína en el mapa por alguna vez por cosas buenas."
  — Carmen, urging listeners to support Zucaina ([03:56])

• Cachopo wisdom:
  "El cachopo es típico de donde te lo hagan bien."
  — Eva Soriano ([05:00])

Timestamped Key Segments

• Introduction to Zucaina & Carmen: [00:23] – [01:11]
• Village History & Food: [01:11] – [02:31]
• Bar Culture & Social Life: [02:31] – [03:01]
• Seasonality & Population: [03:01] – [03:29]
• Alegato Final (Carmen’s pitch): [03:39] – [04:38]
• Cachopo Discussion & Close: [04:38] – [05:10]

Tone & Style

The conversation is playful, informal, and filled with affectionate jokes about small-town life. Carmen’s down-to-earth style mixes with the hosts’ banter, producing an engaging snapshot of rural Spain’s joys and challenges.

Recap & Closing

Carmen gives an earnest, charming look into the beauty and realities of life in Zucaina—its warmth, close-knit community, and stunning surroundings—while the hosts keep the mood lively and supportive. The episode is both an advocacy piece for small villages and a lighthearted celebration of rural identity.