Having to choose 10 foods to try in Spain for this article was more difficult than I had initially realised! My husband hailing from Spain means that we have visited there often and I have had my fair share of working my way through many a Spanish menu. It was a challenge to fit my top foods to try in Spain in a list of 10, but this article may have continued for 10 pages if I didn’t cap it. This proves what you have probably already assumed correctly that Spain is a foodie’s paradise and you won’t be short of dishes to try. You’ll find that each region of Spain has their delicacies so it’s a great idea when ordering from the menu, to ask the waiters what dishes are local to that region so that you can try something truly special alongside the more mainstream Spanish delights. Without further adieu, here are my top 10 foods to try in Spain.
1 – Jamón ibérico de bellota
Without much effort, you’ll come across plenty of opportunities to try jamón in Spain, but note that not all jamón is made equal. There are different types of jamón depending on the breed of the pig and the diet it was fed. Jamón ibérico de bellota, sporting a black label, gets you the best quality jamón money can buy. Black label iberico pigs are fed a diet of acorns, herbs and wild plants and spend the autumn and winter months roaming freely around the oak forests of Spain. They are bred from 100 percent Iberian pata negra pigs and their meat boasts a flavour of sweet and nutty notes. The jamón is cut into thin slices and can be best enjoyed on its own or with or with bread. This jamón, with sublime marbling throughout, will melt in your mouth and the depth of flavour will make you close your eyes and smile.
2 – Paella Valenciana
You will find most restaurants serving paella in Spain, the most recognisable being the seafood paella. However paella dish itself originates from Valencia and the traditional recipe actually uses rabbit, chicken, runner beans and butter beans as its main ingredients. Historically, the dish was originally something farmers and labourers’ would whip up in the countryside for lunch, using rice and whatever other ingredients were on hand around the farm. Nowadays, there are a large variety of different paellas and they’re all full of flavour and worth a try. However, if you are making the special trip to Spain, I highly recommended putting the paella Valenciana on your list of top 10 foods to try in Spain.
3 – Tortia de patata (Spanish Omelette)
The tortia de patata is one of the most simple dishes that can be eaten at any time of the day. It is made up of egg, potatoes and onions and is served in a triangular slice topped with alioli. This is more of a casual snack you’ll find in restaurants and more commonly in traditional bars that have an entire tortilla de patata sitting on a cake stand. The traditional recipe is full of flavour and the most common one you’ll find out and about, however there different takes on the original recipe where chorizo is added or green peppers.
4 – Pimiento de padrón
Pimientos de Padrón are mini green peppers that are pan fried in olive oil and then seasoned heavily with rock salt. They originate from a town called Padrón in Galicia, hence the name pimientos de Padrón! The level of heat in these peppers are generally mild however on occasion you might come across one that is on the spicier side. There is a tradition in Spain that if you are the one to bite into the spicy pepper, you need to foot the bill for the dish! Pimientos de Padrón are a perfect snack and can be easily found on most restaurant menus or in traditional Spanish bars.
5 – Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a refreshing cold soup made with blended raw vegetables. It originated in the southern part of Spain in Andalucia and so can sometimes be referred to as gazpacho Andaluz. The ingredients traditionally used in this soup are cucumber, green peppers, tomatoes, garlic, yesterday’s bread, onion, olive oil, salt and vinegar. Gazpacho is mainly eaten during the hot summer months in Spain and can be found in most restaurants.
7- Ensaladilla Rusa (Russian salad)
With its roots said to be in Russia, ensaladilla rusa, more commonly shortened to ‘ensaladilla’ is now a proud Spanish delight and one you can generally find on most restaurant menus around Spain. It is a potato salad that consists of peas, carrots, boiled eggs, tuna, olives and mayonnaise and then decorated beautifully with roasted red peppers and olives. You will find this salad served all year round and can be eaten as a tapa or a complete meal with crusty bread. It can be served at room temperature but personally I think it’s best served cold once it’s had a few hours to rest in the fridge.
8 – Pulpo a la Gallega
Pulpo a la Gallega is an octopus dish that originates from the region of Galicia. The octopus is tenderised, boiled and then sliced. The octopus is served on a bed of sliced, boiled potatoes and finished off with a sprinkle of salt, paprika and a drizzle of olive oil. It’s important to note that a great pulpo a la Gallega tastes like an octopus that is tender; it shouldn’t have a rubbery texture. If the dish is prepared as it should be, get ready for a burst of flavour and a melt in your melt sensation that you won’t forget!
9 – Pintxos (Pronounced pin-chos)
Looking for food that resembles art and taste incredible? Look no further than pintxos! Pintxos originate in Northern Spain and are snacks made up of ingredients held together on a slice of crusty bread with a cocktail stick. Pintxos actually were given their name from the Spanish word ‘pincho’ which means cocktail stick. The spelling ‘pintxo’ is how it is written in the Basque language. Pintxos can vary greatly from having goat’s cheese and caramalised onions on crusty bread to barbecue octopus, mushroom and sliced jamon as combinations.
10 – Croquetas de jamón (Ham croquettes)
Croquetas de jamón are a staple on Spanish restaurant menus and although you’ll see different filling options, the croquetas de jamón are a must try. The croqueta itself is a bechamel fritter given flavour by the ingredients added to it; in this case jamon. The outside coating should be crispy and the inside soft and creamy, giving you that melt-in your mouth texture that sends us all to heaven. It is impossible to stop at one croqueta!
Top Tip!
All around Spain you’ll see some restaurants and cafes offering ‘Menu del dia’. It is almost always written in Spanish but I urge you not to be intimidated by this! Menu del dia is excellent value for money and provides a great opportunity to fuel up for all of the walking you’re probably going to be doing throughout the day and try multiple dishes in one sitting for a reasonable price.
The Menu del dia is usually on a small blackboard or sign and displays options for 3 courses; a starter, main and then dessert. You need to choose one option for each and the courses will be served to you in sequential order. Google is your friend here to look up what each dish is if there is a language barrier or you could be adventurous and simply point to one option from each section!
Top Tip!
All around Spain you’ll see some restaurants and cafes offering ‘Menu del dia’. It is almost always written in Spanish but I urge you not to be intimidated by this! Menu del dia is excellent value for money and provides a great opportunity to fuel up for all of the walking you’re probably going to be doing throughout the day and try multiple dishes in one sitting for a reasonable price.
The Menu del dia is usually on a small blackboard or sign and displays options for 3 courses; a starter, main and then dessert. You need to choose one option for each and the courses will be served to you in sequential order. Google is your friend here to look up what each dish is if there is a language barrier or you could be adventurous and simply point to one option from each section!
