Spanish Food: Part of the Culture of the Camino
Every country has its own food culture. Spain remains the most popular tourist destination for its pleasant weather, interesting culture, and exquisite cuisine.
People in various parts of the world still enjoy Spanish food delicacies. The ingredients used in Spanish cooking are quite different, and that generates an exotic aroma, making it truly delicious.
The people there do not give importance to the food presentation style. However, their cooking style makes up for the added flavour. If you will be walking the Camino de Santiago soon, take this opportunity to learn more about Spanish food.
Spanish Food Culture
Spanish food culture has been quite a favourite among many people, both natives as well as people in other parts of the world.
Spanish cooking has relatively popular roots. Actually, you will acknowledge that most foods are down to earth and come devoid of the intricacies common with other cuisines.
In addition, most of the cuisines are made using locally available ingredients or crops that are grown in the region. You will acknowledge, however, that there are wide variations in the recipes common in the various Spanish regions.
One thing that you will note about Spanish food is that most of them are prepared using more or less the same ingredients and methods of cooking that were used two or even three centuries ago.
However, you will still find others generally influenced by the Americans, Portuguese, or Europeans. Either way, you are likely to come up with one conclusion; that Spanish food is always tasty, fresh, and abundant.
Cooking Spanish Food
The Spanish do not prefer garnishing much and want the flood plain.
The food is cooked both in the most traditional manner as well as contemporary forms. If you like spicy food, you will surely enjoy Spanish cuisine, as Spanish food is known for its rich aroma and spice.
The most commonly used vegetables include tomatoes, chillies, potatoes, and beans. They also blend in some of the citrus fruit varieties.
Presently, the modern cooking style makes use of spices and other ingredients from other cuisines, like Roman or Moorish. But the traditional cooking style involves a mix of exclusive spices that brings out the flavour in the right proportion.
Types of Spanish Food
One of the most valued Spanish foods is ham. Spaniards will pay any price in order to get ham of high quality. Actually, you would get denominations of the origin of particular kinds of ham. As much as there are varied types in the supermarkets or menus, you will most likely find ham from the mountains or Sierra.
Another common Spanish food is fish and other types of seafood. Given that Spain sits on the Iberian Peninsula with water surrounding it on its three sides, there is plenty of fresh seafood in its markets. This includes foods like baby eels, octopus, shrimp, and halibuts.
The Spaniards also have a deep love for sausages, especially their Chorizo. This pork sausage is made using paprika. It comes in a wide variety of types, from soft and fresh ones to the smoked, aged type. Many people actually get the various sausage offered in the market, make them, then hang them in attics or cellars to dry.
Spanish foods will also have the element of honey mixed in adequate quantity. This is similar to Arabic food, where honey is generously used in most dishes.
Cumin is yet another ingredient that forms an integral part of the Spanish food delight. You could also try some of their dishes that contain a blend of meat along with chocolate. This might be found in American cuisine as well, though the taste is totally different.
When on the Camino, try Spanish food!
If you happen to tour Spain, then you must try out their delicacies which include Bacalao, which is nothing but a preparation of dried cod. White sausages are yet another dish that you must not miss. You could also relish some of the chicken and most amazing shellfish dishes.
People of Spain do have rice in different forms, and you will be fascinated by their rice varieties.
To learn more about the tasty tapas in Spain, read Maria’s blog about the 10 best dishes in Galicia.
For more information about Camino food or any of the Camino routes, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
