Spanish Cuisine: 5 Popular Spanish Dishes That You Must Try

by Gregg Saunders
(United Kingdom)

The resorts in Spain are really popular holiday destinations for people all over the world, they offer sun, sea and sand which is all you can really ask for from any holiday destination.

However it is easy to overlook some of the other things that Spain has to offer, such as its amazing cuisine. There are several restaurants and eateries in Spain that serve a variety of regional dishes including fish, vegetables and meat dishes. In this article we’ll look at 5 of the most popular dishes that this country has to offer.

Paella:

This is probably the most popular dish of all. Historically it was a meal favored by the unskilled worker, who cooked it in the fields. These days sea food Paella is very popular, but in the past chicken, duck, rabbit and even snail meat were used to create this dish.

Pescado Frito – Fried Fish:

If you happen to visit the Andulusian city of Cadiz during your Spain Holidays then you will want to sample the fried fish there. Andalusia is known for having the best fried fish in the whole of Spain.

There is a variety of different types of fish to choose from and they are inexpensive, so they won’t put a hole in your pocket. Fish on offer include sole, whiting, grey and red mullet, plaice and cod.

Cochinillo Asado – Roasted Suckling Pig:

If you are a fan of pork rind then you will enjoy Cochinillo Asado. Traditionally the roasted pig is cooked over charcoal resulting in the pig?s skin becoming crispy and its meat becoming tender. Conchillo Asado is often served with chips and bread, you can find it in restaurants all over Spain, however it is quite expensive in most places.

Pulpo a la Gallega – Galican Octopus:

If you intend to sample the very best Octopus cuisine, then you will need to head North West to Galica which is famous for its sea food. The octopus is boiled in a pot of water, when done its tentacles are cut into thin slices. Finally coarse sea salt, paprika and olive oil are added to improve the flavor of the dish. It is often served with potato and vegetables.

Some people may find the texture a bit of a turn off as the outer skin is very slippery. If you fall into this category then you may want to try the grilled version of this dish, however not many restaurants offer this.

Jamon Iberico (Iberian Ham):

The Spanish are well known for their love of ham, so we had to add a ham dish to our list. Jamon Iberico is a form of cured ham. The quality of the ham used depends on the type of pig it is from, with the best quality coming from pigs that were fed on acorns. If you want to sample the best quality Jamon Iberico, then visit the town of Guijuelo in the Salamanca province, or alternatively Jabugo which can be found in the Huelva province.

So there you have it, five popular types of Spanish cuisine that you should try the next time you go to Spain.

Author’s Bio:

Gregg Saunders is a travel writer who works for lowcostholidays.com, a travel company that specialise in Majorca holidays and Gran Canaria holidays.