ExecutiveChronicles | Gastronomic Spain: from Street Food to Michelin Restaurants | Hola, traveler! The cuisine is an inseparable part of any country, and it is highly important to its identity, so it is essential to try out something once you go abroad. And, while talking of Spain, there is a vast variety of choices, ranging from street food to top 5-star restaurants! Get ready to try out new flavors and the most interesting food choices. Let’s find out more about gastronomic Spain!
Churros
Churros are a worldly-known dessert you can get in most countries. However, the best ones are made on the streets of Spain!
There are plenty of trolleys and foot trucks offering creamy, sugary Churros you can dip in hot chocolate and carry on with your walk. While it is not reduced to strictly Spain, as we said, we still recommend giving it a chance. Maybe you will spot a difference between the ones you already tried and the ones that are authentic to Spanish cuisine!
Paella
The traditional Spanish stew is available in any food court you can find. That includes both street food trolleys and Michelin restaurants. However, the dish originally comes from Valencia, so if your journey takes you there, keep that in mind and look for the best restaurant that serves Paella!
You can eat the spicy rice meal with chicken, seafood, or vegetables. Combine it with the best Spanish wine or ice-cold Sangria, and you have yourself a feast!
Turron de Alicante
If you take up our advice about Paellas in Valencia, we suggest jumping on Valencia to Alicante train and trying out their traditional dessert – Turron de Alicante!
The snack is a nougat confection, typically made of honey, sugar, and egg white, with toasted almonds or other nuts. They are usually formed into rectangular tablets or rounded into shapes resembling cake. Turron de Alicante is a delicious, sweet snack you can have after dinner or as a snack, and if you cannot try them out in their motherland, Alicante, you could probably find them in any other city, either on the streets or at top-quality restaurants. Though, these might be a bit fancier!
Pinchitos
The Spanish take on usual European kebabs, Pinchitos is one of the most favored snacks in the country!
Made of chicken or lamb, Pinchitos are a frequent item on the menu in any of the Spanish tapas bars, so you can find them pretty easily. They are served hot and spicy, so you might want to pair them with Stella Artois beer or any other cold drink. The meat is very well-done and marinated in olive oil with herbs and spices. Absolutely delicious!
While Pinchitos is a traditional Spanish street food, you would be surprised how much it is loved in Venezuela!
Patatas Bravas
A small dish that is a part of any traditional tapas menu, Patatas Bravas are the so-called brave potatoes, and is favored by every Spaniard, as well as the tourists! But what makes the potatoes so brave?
Actually, they are given the name because of its spicy sauce, which is quite rare in Spain, as they tend to cook their dishes with mild flavors.
The potatoes are cubed and fried, so they make for the perfect snack, all crunchy and well-prepared. Dip them in the brave sauce, and there you have a full appetizer before another delicious meal!
For Patatas Bravas, you do not have to go to a Michelin-star restaurant or even seek out street food trolleys! There is a saying in Spain claiming that the dirtier the bar, the better the bravas! You might want to consider that.
Gazpacho
The tomato soup based in Andalusia is yet another dish that is imperative to try out! It might be hard finding it while roaming the streets, as it is more of a restaurant-type food. For Gazpacho, head to any local cafe.
Its base ingredients are tomatoes, peppers, garlic, bread, and lots of olive oil! Do not be discouraged, though. While the oil is a very frequent ingredient in Spanish cuisine, their food is not greasy, and the olive oil only adds a bit of tang, not the flavor. The fun zing about it is that Gazpacho is not a hot soup we are used to. It is served at room temperature, so be prepared for that first unexpected bite!
Our main advice for your gastronomic journey is to simply keep an open mind. You will probably come across some unusual flavors and ingredients that may come off a bit weird, but be brave and try out everything you can – you will most likely love it. Have fun and adios!
Photo by Douglas Lopez on Unsplash
