Spain Food

Typical and traditional food from Spain

The Spain food that is served across the country has some similarities, but does differ by region.

The south region, Andalucía, has some great food traditions.

Because it spans across a diverse region, so does its cuisine. One side of the country is the Mediterranean and the other, the Atlantic ocean. Then throw in olive groves, hills, mountains and valleys…you can only imagine that it’s great fun to savor all the spain food delicacies this region has to offer.

Tapas

Tapas, sometimes called Pinchos, are small dishes that are available in tapas bars and many restaurants. It’s a very common way that Spaniards eat. It originated in the Andalucía in the 19th century and was meant to be eaten with Sherry. They were once free, but not anymore. There are many varieties of uniquely prepared meat, vegetables, or seafood dishes. These dishes are meant to be shared and make a great light meal or heavy meal, depending on your desires.

Each tapa bar is usually known for its particular specialty of spain food. They are usually best accompanied with dry sherry or a draught beer. Try tapas with my favorite beer Cruz Campo!

Seafood

Because of its vast coastline, southern spain (or all of spain) has great seafood. The variety includes cod, hake, prawns, crayfish, clams, razor clams, octopus, cuttlefish, tuna and sole.

Seaside restaurants offer pescaito frito, fried fresh fish. Sanlucar has great langostinos, king prawns that are sweet and spicy.



Meat

It’s no secret that Pork is the meat of choice for Spain food in Andalucia! Maybe you’ve heard of the hams of Jabugo and Travelez. They are some of the best made in Spain. These specialties are made with black footed pigs that are free range and live on a diet of acorns. They are the pride of this region.

Chorizo is a sausage made with smoked paprika and garlic that is a regional favorite.

Fruits and vegetables

Southern Spain has a great hot climate for fruits and vegetables. They include tomatoes, papayas, peaches, mangos, oranges, asparagus, eggplants, artichokes and persimmons. And don’t forget the olives!



Common Dishes on a Spain Food Menu

• Chocos con Habas – Cuttlefish cooked with white beans, white wine and bay leaves.

• Rabo de Toro – Chunks of bulls tail, simmered with vegetables, bay leaves and sherry. A classic Andalucía dish!

• Salmorejo Cordobes – Creamy tomato dip thickened with breadcrumbs.

• Pato a la Sevillana – A specialty of Seville, duck cooked with onion, leeks, carrots, bayleaf and sherry.

• Tortilla de Sacromonte – A specialty of Granada, omelet of brains, kidney, peppers and peas.



The Tapa Menu

If you don’t know Spanish, you might be able to figure out what some of the tapas are, and others might get confusing. I think tapas are the best way to eat every day. It’s a great way to sample the regional cuisine and its fun every time!Sure, you could hit up a pizza place or fast food, but that would defeat the point of being in Spain! Their food has a rich history and must be savored!

Most popular Tapas in Southern Spain Food



Patatas Bravas – Fried potato chunks with a spicy red sauce. Alternatively, if you prefer something more creamy, the Patatas con Aioli is potatoes with a garlic mayonnaise and is seen quite frequently on menus.

Almendras Fritas – Fried salted almonds

Calamares Fritos – Fried squid rings and tentacles. Deep fried in olive oil, they have a light flour batter and usually served with a lemon wedge.

Jamon Serrano – Salt cured ham. It’s dried in the mountain air (Serrano air). The pigs are fed a diet of acorns, which gives it even a more unique flavor.

Queso Manchego – Sheep’s milk cheese from La Mancha.

Tortilla Espanola – Omelet made of potato, onion and eggs, usually served in a large wedge or several small bit size pieces.

Chorizo – Sausage flavored with paprika and garlic. It is eaten both cold or fried and served warm.

Salpicon de Mariscos – A cold salad of fresh seafood in a vinaigrette.

Pollo al Ajillo – Small pieces of chicken wings sautéed and simmered in a garlic sauce.

Albondigas – Meatballs served in a spicy tomato sauce, sometimes served without.

Mixed Green Olives - Olives stuffed with almonds or more commonly anchovies are served at almost all tapas bars.

Banderillas – Canapes skewered on toothpicks, meant to be eaten all at once.

More typical tapa spain food dishes you might see on the menu at the bar or restaurant…



Alcachofas - Artichokes, usually pickled in vinegar

Almejas – Clams

Berenjenas Rebozadas – Roasted eggplants

Boquerones al natural – Fresh anchovies in garlic and olive oil, can be served fried.

Bunuelos de Bacalao – Salt cod fritters

Cacahuetes – Peanuts

Calamares a La Romana - Fried squid rings

Callos – Tripe

Caracoles - Snails (very little, in shell)

Carne en Salsa – Meat in a hearty sauce

Champinones – Button mushrooms fried and served in a light sauce with garlic and parsley

Chiporones a La Plancha – Grilled cuddlefish with a garlic and parsley sauce

Chopitos – Cuttlefish in fried butter

Chorizo al Vino – Chorizo served flamed with brandy

Merluza a La Romana – Hake fried in a light batter

Migas – Breadcrumbs fried and flavored with several savory ingredients

Montaditos – Mini sandwiches made with a variety of fillings

Morcilla – Black pudding (blood pudding)

Muslitos del mar- Crab meat croquette skewered on a claw

Orejas de Cerdo – pigs ear

Paella – Rice dish made with meat, fish or vegetables containing the spice saffron

Pan de Ajo – garlic bread

Patatas a lo Pobre – Potato chunks sautéed with onions and red and green peppers

Patatas alioli – Potato chunks in a garlic mayonnaise

Pescaitos fritos – Fried fish with a light flour batter

Pescaditos – Small fried fish

Pimientos – Fried green peppers

Pimientos Rellenos – Stuffed peppers

Pinchos Morunos – Morrish kebabs, usually pork

Pulpo – Baby octopus

Quesos – Spanish cheeses,

made from sheeps milk, goats milk and cows milk

Rabo de Toro – Bulls tail

Revueltos – Scrambled eggs with asparagus or mushrooms

Salmonetes – Red mullet

Sardinas – Sardines, fried or grilled

Sepia a la Plancha – Grilled cuttlefish

Sesos – Brains, lamb or calf

Tortilla Espanola – Egg, potato and onion frittata

Verdura a La Plancha – Grilled vegetables

Hungry for more?

Regional Spain food dishes

All about Spanish olive oil

The best Spanish wines

Here are some popular Spanish food recipes.

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