Famous Food In Spain

Famous Food in Spain

Terry Roberts

Travel around Spain and you'll find that you can eat a different kind of dish in almost any town or village. Regional specialties abound, and every region, town or village is proud of its own foods - and will tell you that they're the best in the whole of the country.

On the coast, logically, you'll find some excellent fish and seafood dishes, and inland you'll be delighted with the wonderful dishes made from meat and vegetables. There are an infinite variety of ways of combining these ingredients - and you'll find excellent fresh fruit, too.

Of course all of Spain is famous for the wide variety of appetizers or tapas that are provided as either part of a main meal or as small tidbits to have with drinks.

Outside the main cities you'll not find many smart restaurants, but the food served in the tascas or bars will be tasty and based on fresh local produce. In places like Madrid, Barcelona and other larger cities, you'll find restaurants of all types - and prices - where you'll be able to try not only local specialties, but also international cuisine to the highest standard.

Another very common distinction that can be made in Spain is between summer and winter foods. In summer it is very common to eat cold soups - gazpacho is probably the best known version. It's a kind of cold tomato soup, usually eaten with green pepper, cucumber and small pieces of bread. Winter brings stews and other cooked dishes, such as a cocido. This is a whole meal - it's a kind of stew where you first eat the broth, with noodles, followed by the vegetables, then the meat.

There is a lot of talk about the healthy qualities of the Mediterranean diet, and the traditional Spanish diet fits in well with this. The basic ingredient is olive oil, preferably Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The Mediterranean diet is also rich in cereals, vegetables and fruit. Spanish cooking is also very strong on fish dishes, and Spain has one of the biggest fishing fleets in the world. Strangely enough, in Madrid, which is in the geographic center of the country, over 300 kilometers from the nearest coast, you can find some of the most wonderful fish dishes you'll ever taste.

Vegetables and fruit make up a very important part of many Spaniards' diets. A typical entree will be a salad or a vegetable sauted with ham, and fruit is eaten by many people as a dessert. The main course could be meat or fish.

Desserts in Spain may include the traditional Christmas dish of Turron, a sweet dessert made with almonds and honey. The simple yet elegant flan with its caramelized top and rich custard bottom is an ideal dish to have with a cup of coffee after a wonderful Spanish meal.

Terry Roberts has lived in Spain for over 30 years. Visit his website, http://www.spain-traveler.com/) Travel to Spain, for information and advice for your next trip there - and don't miss his recommendations on the http://www.spain-traveler.com/top-ten-things-to-do/) Top Ten Things to Do in Spain.