Famous throughout the world for its traditional dishes, such as paella, gazpacho, and Catalan cream, Spanish cuisine is able to boast a wide variety of raw materials, which have always been elaborated both in-home cooking and in catering with great imagination, wisdom, and competence.
The Spanish cuisine is distinguished by having first introduced, at the beginning of the sixteenth century, some ingredients from the Americas, such as tomatoes, potatoes, corn, or cocoa, which today are commonly used throughout Europe, in many different preparations.
10 typical dishes not to miss in Spain
Paella
Saffron rice combined with white fish, shrimps, squids, and clams.
Arròs Negre
Rice with cephalopod ink, cuttlefish or squid, garlic, green cubanelle peppers, sweet paprika, olive oil, and seafood broth.
Gazpacho
Cold soup made with raw tomato, cucumber, pepper, onion, and some garlic, olive oil, wine vinegar, water, and salt.
Empanada
Meat or vegetables filled pastry.
Jamón Ibérico
Cured ham served raw in thin slices.
Chorizo
Cured, spicy pork sausage made of chopped pork and pork fat, seasoned with pimentón (smoked paprika) and salt. Can be served raw or cooked.
Albondigas
Meat-balls served as an appetizer or main course, usually in a tomato sauce.
Tapas
Small portions of any kind of food; may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or hot (such as chopitos, battered, fried baby squid).
Crema Catalana
A crème caramel-like dessert with a custard base with a hard caramel top.
Churros
Sweet fried pastry-dough snacks.
Sangria
The alcoholic drink symbol of Spain made from wine, fruit pieces, and spices.
Licor 43
A liqueur made from citrus and fruit juices, flavored with vanilla and other aromatic herbs and spices, for a total of 43 different ingredients (hence the name).
