The Spaniards traditionally make a cult out of food. They love to eat and can eat from early morning until late at night. It is customary for local residents to have breakfast twice, to have a rich lunch, to have dinner and to have a snack between main meals.
Most popular food
Spanish dishes are rich in meat and therefore very satisfying. Although the national cuisine of the country belongs to the Mediterranean, it is very different from the cuisine of Italy, Greece and other countries. The Spaniards give the first place in gastronomy to jamon - a dry-cured pork leg. It has a long and complex production process and is therefore not cheap.
The second most popular in the country is paella. According to the classic recipe, it is made from rice with rabbit meat and olive oil, without adding seafood. Different regions have their own recipes for preparing this dish. It is made with vegetables, seafood, sausage and chicken. Complex and nutritious side dishes are popular in the country. In addition, chefs often mix incompatible foods. For example, in a soup plate, along with seafood, you can find pieces of smoked sausage or beef cutlets, carrots, green peas, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and greens.
Spanish dishes are distinguished by their spicy taste, as they are prepared with the use of a large number of aromatic plants. Pine needles, garlic, almonds, onions, yellow saffron and ground red pepper are used for sauces. Residents of the central regions of the country usually eat lamb and rice. On the Mediterranean coast, the priority is fish, rice, pork and veal. In northern Spain, potatoes, beans and beef are popular. From vegetables, culinary experts use bell peppers, tomatoes, various cabbage, eggplants, zucchini, celery, beans, beans, peas. The Spaniards love pickled vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, courgettes and peppers. Lactic acid products are an important part of Spanish cuisine. Cheeses of various types are widespread.
Interesting features of the Spanish table
The day starts with a light breakfast consisting of chocolate with milk or coffee, cake, tarts or pancakes. Soup and snacks are served at lunchtime, around 14-15 pm, when the siesta takes place. At this time, a dish appears on the table with a garnish of vegetables, fish or eggs. The siesta lasts about 2-3 hours. First, an aperitif is used - a panconto tomato or fried pieces of bread with tomatoes and garlic. Olive oil sauce is also served. Dinner takes place around 10 pm. The main ingredients of the dishes are tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. They are included in almost all dishes, and sometimes they are consumed separately. Tapas is a popular snack in Spain. This term means fish or meat cuts, miniature sandwiches, anchovies. After tapas, salads appear on the table: octopus, potatoes, arugula or ham.
