7 Foods You Must Try When You Are In Spain

Last updated on October 9th, 2023 at 03:36 pm

Spain’s food especially, top 7 foods you must try when you are in Spain? Oh boy, it’s like a flavor fiesta! Each region’s got its own delicious story to tell. 

So, whether you’re jet-setting to Spain or just drooling over the idea, here are 8 absolute must-try dishes. These bites are not just tasty; they’re a slice of Spain’s soul!

Here Are The Top 7 Foods You Must Try When You Are In Spain:

In Spain, your taste journey is as thrilling as exploring history. It’s a food paradise! Try these top 7 foods you must try when you are in Spain:

1. Paella

Paella, oh, it’s Spain’s superstar dish! Why? Well, this awesome rice thing is cooked with all sorts of stuff like meat, seafood, veggies, and even snails. The story goes that paella started in Valencia, this place on Spain’s east coast, back in the day when the Moors brought rice there in the Middle Ages.

You grab this big, shallow pan called a paellera to whip up paella. It’s like the secret sauce to getting that perfect crispy layer of rice at the bottom, they call it socarrat. 

To flavor the rice, add saffron, garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and broth. Then, whether over an open flame or a burner, you cook it all together with your preferred additions.

Now, Valencia is where you must go if you want to sample the greatest paella Spain has to offer. They’ve got tons of versions depending on the season and what’s fresh. 

The classic one’s called paella valenciana, packed with chicken, rabbit, green beans, artichokes, snails, and sometimes duck. Then there’s paella de marisco, loaded with shrimp, mussels, clams, squid, lobster, and fish.

2. Tortilla de patatas

Tortilla de patatas, or Spanish omelette, is like a Spanish comfort food hug. It’s just eggs, potatoes, onions, salt, and a bit of olive oil – no fancy stuff.

Khanh Tran from Villa-Ibiza said, “In Spain, this dish is a total superstar. You can get it anywhere & from fancy restaurants to your grandma’s kitchen. It’s super simple, won’t break the bank & you can chow down on it hot or cold.”

She also added “Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a midnight snack – it’s your call. Plus, you can jazz it up with cheese & ham, veggies, or whatever tickles your taste buds.”

To whip it up, peel and slice those taters and onions, then sizzle ’em up in olive oil until they’re tender. Beat some eggs, add some salt, and mix the vegetables. It should be cooked on a nonstick skillet until brown on both sides & somewhat gooey in the center.

Serve it up whole or in wedges, and go wild with bread, tomato sauce, mayo, or aioli. It’s the ultimate all-day, every-day grub. 

3. Jamón ibérico

It’s a special ham from black Iberian pigs. They freely roam oak forests in southwest Spain. These pigs have a unique trait: they store fat in their muscles & make their meat flavorful & rich. 

They munch on acorns in their final months, adding a nutty twist to the taste. Making Jamón ibérico involves salting and air-drying pig legs for months or even years. Experts meticulously control temperature, humidity, and airflow. 

Result? A ham with a dark red hue, marbled appearance, and complex aroma. In Spain and worldwide & it’s a prized delicacy. 

Sliced thin, it’s perfect on a board or plate. Enjoy it solo or with bread, cheese, olives, wine, or sherry. It jazzes up salads, soups, sandwiches, and tapas too. 

You might also like: How to Make Qdoba Tortilla Soup at Home: A Simple and Delicious Recipe

4. Croquetas

Croquetas are like these little flavor bombs, stuffed with all sorts of yummy stuff like ham, chicken, cheese, cod, mushrooms, or spinach. You fry ’em up until they’re all crispy and golden, and guess what? They’re the bomb! You can find ’em in every nook and cranny in Spain.

Now, making croquetas at home? Piece of cake! First, whip up a thick and creamy béchamel sauce with butter, flour, and milk. Stir like there’s no tomorrow until it’s super smooth. 

Then, toss in some salt, pepper, nutmeg, and your fave filling. Cook until everything’s buddies. Let it chill, shape it into cute little balls or rolls, dunk ’em in beaten eggs, give ’em a breadcrumb blanket, and fry ’em up in hot oil until they’re rocking that golden crunch. Lay ’em on some paper towels to drain, and boom!

You can enjoy these bad boys as an appetizer or make ’em the star of your meal. Slap ’em on a plate with some bread, salad, sauce, or a squeeze of lemon – they’re crazy good and will have you coming back for more, no doubt!

5. Gazpacho

Gazpacho, a chilled soup, blends fresh veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, garlic, and bread. Season it with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and perhaps cumin or paprika. Perfect for scorching summer days.

Originating in Andalusia, Spain’s hot, dry region, Gazpacho started as a peasant’s meal, using stale bread and leftover veggies. Arab and Roman influences added vinegar, garlic, and olive oil.

To whip up Gazpacho, chop veggies and bread finely, toss them in a blender. Add olive oil, vinegar, salt, and water; blend till smooth. Adjust the texture and taste to your liking. Chill it for an hour before serving.

Serve Gazpacho in a bowl or glass, top it with chopped veggies, croutons, eggs, or ham. Great as a starter or a light meal. A tasty, healthy way to savor Spain’s fresh produce.

6. Pimientos de padrón

Pimientos de padrón are small green peppers from Galicia, Spain. They’re usually mild but can surprise with spiciness. Enjoy them for a fun culinary adventure.

Cooking these is a breeze. Wash, dry, and heat olive oil. Fry the peppers until they blister, then sprinkle salt and toss.

Serve hot or warm, as an appetizer or side. Whole or sliced, with or without seeds and stems. Pair with bread, cheese, wine, or beer. A tasty, addictive snack that keeps you guessing.

7. Churros con chocolate

Churros with chocolate are long strips of dough, deep-fried, and dipped in thick, hot chocolate. They’re super popular in Spain & can be enjoyed anytime & especially for breakfast or as a late-night treat.

Originally from Madrid, Spain’s capital, churros with chocolate were sold by street vendors who made them fresh on the spot. They drew inspiration from Portuguese fried pastries known as filhós, introduced to Spain by explorers returning from the Americas.

Churros are made by heating up a mixture of flour, water, butter, sugar, and salt in a pot until a smooth ball forms. After allowing the dough to cool somewhat, pipe it using a star-shaped nozzle into long strips. 

They should be fried in heated oil until golden and crisp. After draining on paper towels, they should be dusted with sugar.

The chocolate sauce is made by heating milk & cream in a saucepan over low heat, adding chopped dark chocolate, and stirring until smooth. If necessary, add additional cornstarch mixed in water to thicken the sauce.

Serve churros with chocolate hot or warm, on a plate or in a paper cone. Enjoy them plain or with powdered sugar, cinnamon, honey, or whipped cream. Dip them in chocolate sauce or drizzle it over. They’re a decadent, satisfying dessert that will make you smile.

Conclusion

Hope you like our article on foods you must try when you are in Spain. Actually, a culinary journey in Spain is a tasty adventure. It reveals flavors, traditions & regional specialties. 

From iconic paella in Valencia to comforting tortilla de patatas, Spain offers diverse dishes. Each bite tells Spain’s culinary story. Whether in Madrid, Barcelona, or Andalusia, savor these 7 must-try foods.