Mr. Ahmed, who favors Muslim garb typical of the region, has honed a message of an inclusive government not based on clan loyalties.

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At his rural farmhouse, Mas Trucafort, he and his wife host cooking classes and meals featuring foods that are typical of the region, like delicious calcots -- a cross between a spring onion and a leek -- served with romesco sauce, and artichokes served with Catalonia's favourite accompaniment, the garlic sauce allioli.

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The elevation and remoteness of the hamlet are fairly typical for a region that has defended itself from invasion for some 2, 000 years.

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Here the bounty of the region is served up in typical dishes such as spaetzle (hand-formed noodles) and maultaschen (a meat-stuffed pocket of dough similar to ravioli).

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Johnson's results were fairly typical, according to Kittles, who estimates that one-third of his clients can trace their roots to the same region.

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