Food in Spain

Fabulous Spanish Cuisine…

Hearty, healthy, wholesome and absolutely delicious. That is essentially what the Spanish cuisine is all about. There is great variety when travelers go from one region to another and the freshest and best ingredients are used in every meal, ensuring that the food tastes its best.  Food lovers are definitely in for a treat when they visit Spain.

The national dish of Spain is paella, a sort of rice stew that originated in Valencia. This dish is very popular in Spain and it is common to see whole families gathering to cook and eat this together for Sunday lunch. There are a lot of different variations of paella but it is usually made of different kinds of shellfish like shrimp, crab and clams, vegetables like butter beans, runner beans or tomatoes, cooked together with chicken and/or rabbit and long-grained white rice in broth with garlic and saffron added for color and flavor. So passionate are they about paella that the Spaniards even have a Paella Festival in Sueca, a town south of Valencia. Hundreds of people gather here then to prepare paella the traditional way, out in the streets close to their neighbours over a wood fire.

Besides paella, visitors to Spain will not miss the cured ham that adorn restaurants and cafes there. Jamon Serrano is a type of cured ham made from the hind leg of a white pig which has an exceptional taste. It is traditionally produced in the mountainous regions of Spain. The chorizo, or seasoned sausage is also very popular in Spain. Olive oil is also readily available in all of Spain and most Spaniards love a good crusty bread that they can dip into the aromatic Spanish produced olive oil.

Seafood lovers can rejoice in Spain. Because of its long shoreline and history of fishing, one can get a myriad of the freshest seafood in Spain. Tuna, anchovies, sardines and cod are some of the more common fish available, especially in the Basque region in the north, where cod is the main feature of the cuisine there. Shrimp, langoustine and calamari are also readily available and it is so fresh it is served either deep fried or grilled just on its own. Indeed seafood lovers can enjoy the freshness of seafood that is often caught on the very same day.

Each region has its own speciality dish and Andalucia in the south has gazpacho. This cold tomato soup is served in small bowls with bread and makes an excellent dish in the summer. Asturias in northeastern Spain is known for the fabada, a delicious and hearty bean stew as well as its fresh seafood like squid, shrimp and salmon. The pescaito frito or battered fried fish is typical in Malaga and Western Andalusia.

If there is simply too much to choose from, then fret not because the Spanish also invented the concept of finger food with its tapas, a small dish that one has with their drink while socialising at a bar. Tapas tours are becoming popular in Spain, with visitors being led by a local expert, to sample a dish and a drink in a number of tapas bars. This is a great way to try out a lot of different dishes.

A lovely drink to have with your Spanish meal is the sangria, a delicious fruit-based wine made with red wine, fresh fruit and some bubbly water. It is light and refreshing and typically served in a jug so there is plenty to go around as you tuck into your meal. Other sweet treats include the smooth, creamy and rich custard desserts that Spain is known for. Flan or caramel custard and crema catalana, the Spanish version of creme brulee are delicious and a perfect end to any meal. The long crispy fritters churros are also an irresistible Spanish breakfast treat, often served dipped in warm chocolate.

Spain really has a lot to offer in terms of food so bring your appeite when you visit. ¡Buen apetito!