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Spain is known to be one of the world's culinary capitals.
2016-08-24
Its cuisine is eclectic and expansive, and the result of a smorgasbord of different cultures and regions. And while many Spanish restaurants are known for being on the culinary cutting edge, a recurring theme in Spanish dishes is simplicity: ingredients are mostly fresh and altered minimally in order to let natural flavors shine through.
From tiny tapas to pans of paella, here are 33 foods you need to try when traveling to Spain.
Arguably the most famous Spanish dish, patatas bravas are boiled, then deep-fried chunks of potato that are crunchy on the outside and supple on the inside. The sauce varies by city, but is typically an aioli.
Paella is a Valencian rice dish found throughout Spain. In a shallow metal pan, mixed seafood and vegetables are cooked with rice. "Socarrat," the crunchy rice that forms at the bottom of the pan, is an intrinsic part of the dish.
Chorizo is another signature dried, cured meat in Spain. The sweet or spicy, smoked or unsmoked sausage is often eaten as is, in tapas, or added to soups.
Similar to pisto, tumbet is a traditional vegetable dish found at almost every local restaurant on the island of Majorca. The dish combines layers of roasted vegetables.
Although the origin of marzipan is disputed by Italians and Spaniards, the latter claim that the almond-honey confection was invented by nuns of the Convent of San Clemente in Toledo.
Roscón de Reyes, or "Three Kings fruitcake," marks the end of the holiday season. Traditionally, a small figure of baby Jesus or little toy is hidden inside.
Aceitunas, or olives, can be found at almost every restaurant in Spain. The possibilities are endless: they can be tossed in oil, stuffed with red peppers or cheese, or sprinkled with rosemary.
Pimientos de padrón are non-spicy, fried peppers typically eaten as a tapa. The charred skin adds a bitter element to the otherwise salty, sweet taste.
While an acquired taste, boquerones en vinagre is a popular appetizer among Spaniards. Fresh anchovy fillets are marinated in a vinegar and olive oil bath.
Huevos rotos or "broken eggs" consist of extra crispy fries, spicy sauce, and fried eggs. Waiters will usually break the over-easy egg and mix the ingredients together upon serving.
Herrine was a senior producer on INSIDER's video team. She produced content primarily for the food and travel verticals. Herrine travels around New York and the wider world, searching for stories ranging from iconic restaurants to outrageous foods.Previously, Herrine worked at Food Network Magazine and CountryLiving.com. Herrine graduated from New York University with a double major in Journalism and Social & Cultural Analysis.
