While you might be longing to relax on a stunning beach, sip Sangria at an atmospheric bar, and participate in an action-packed water sport while in Spain, it’s the food you will want to stay for.
Rather than sticking to your home comforts during a getaway, you should make it your mission to sample the local cuisine, which will provide you with an insight into the nation’s culture and history.
To fall head over heels in love with the country and its food, here are the five dishes you must try on a Spanish holiday.
1. Paella
While Italy has pasta, France has souffles and German has sauerkraut, Spain has the mouth-wateringly good paella, which will make you want to up sticks and move to the country. The nation’s signature dish originates from Valencia and features white rice, runner beans, butter beans, saffron and either chicken, rabbit or seafood. It’s the perfect dish to try at any point in the year, and it is commonly eaten at lunchtime.
2. Patatas Bravas
One dish you can expect to find on most tapas menus is patatas bravas, which translates to “brave potatoes.” That’s because the cubed or shallow friend potatoes are marinated in a spicy sauce, such as garlic mayonnaise with pimiento or a spicy ketchup.
The delicious dish was created in southern Spain and is made for sharing, so you should sample other dishes alongside the Spanish staple when at a restaurant.
3. Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a tomato-based soup that is famously served cold and originates from Andalusia. While the cold texture might be a surprise to many, it can be the perfect dish to try when enjoying the glorious sunshine during holidays in Lanzarote, which is well-regarded for its year-round sunshine – so there is never a bad time to sample the staple when on the island. The flavours are sure to burst onto your tongue from the first spoonful, as it is made from tomatoes, garlic and peppers, which is served with bread and, of course, olive oil.
4. Jamón
One of the most celebrated foods in all of Spain is Jamón, which is a leg of cured ham that is salted and hung up to dry, which will preserve the meat throughout winter. While you will commonly find Jamón Serrano in most restaurants, which comes from a white pig, you will want to try Jamón Iberico that comes from black pigs and is the more expensive of the two.
Regardless of which option you choose, the delectable meat should be served in thin slices with a small amount of bread, which will ensure it melts in your mouth.
5. Churros
If you have more of a sweet tooth and want to enter foodie heaven, you should indulge in churros, which are a much-loved snack by both locals and tourists. They are made from fried dough pastry in a sausage-like shape, and they are then doused in sugar and best dipped in hot melted chocolate.
While most locals will treat themselves to churros at a fiesta or street party, holidaymakers can buy them from various roadside vendors, regardless of whether they are holidaying in the Canary Islands or a stunning Spanish city.
