The Six Food Regions of Spain
As a vacation destination, Spain offers endless possibilities for discovery and its beauty, architecture, history, people, and definitely the food will have you coming back time after time. Today, Spain offers six distinctive culinary regions, so if you’re looking to have the full Spanish culinary experience, try and plan your itinerary around some of these regions.
Andalucia - This region is famous for pescaito frito (deep fried fish), jamón ibérico (Iberian ham), oxtail soup, gazpacho, Tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelets) and delicious sherries like manzanilla and fino.
The Pyrenees - Here you’ll find dishes that include fresh tomatoes, onions, sautéed peppers and chilindrones, a heart Spanish stew that’s made with chicken, venison, wild boar or beef.
Eastern Region - This region is the birthplace of Spanish paella. This is where you can enjoy various rice-based dishes like Arròs negre (squid ink fish), and Conejo con arroz (rice and rabbit).
Central Spain - This area would include the stunning baroque region of Castilla-Leon. Prepare for a more robust menu in this region with a heavy focus on roasted meats. This is the home of comfort food and where you’ll find plenty of cocidos (Spanish stews), sopas de ajo (garlic soup), and manchego cheese.
Cataluña (Catalonia) - Heavily influenced by Italy, France, and the Mediterranean, Catalan food is bursting with flavor and creative fusion foods. Esqueixada (salt cod), mongetes amb botifarra (sausage and beans), and Escudella i carn d’olla (meat and mixed vegetable stew).
Northern Spain - This is Basque Country, and if you eat anything here, let us suggest one word: Pintxos. These bite sized flavor bombs are often topped with everything from seared green peppers, cheese, fresh octopus, to cured ham, croquettes and sausages. Pintxos are similar to tapas in that they are served at bars and taverns, but the ingredients are different. Northern Spain is also to some of the best Mediterranean influenced seafood dishes in the country.
If a culinary adventure through Spain sounds like your type of travel, we’d love turn that dream into a boarding pass.
Andalucia - This region is famous for pescaito frito (deep fried fish), jamón ibérico (Iberian ham), oxtail soup, gazpacho, Tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelets) and delicious sherries like manzanilla and fino.
The Pyrenees - Here you’ll find dishes that include fresh tomatoes, onions, sautéed peppers and chilindrones, a heart Spanish stew that’s made with chicken, venison, wild boar or beef.
Eastern Region - This region is the birthplace of Spanish paella. This is where you can enjoy various rice-based dishes like Arròs negre (squid ink fish), and Conejo con arroz (rice and rabbit).
Central Spain - This area would include the stunning baroque region of Castilla-Leon. Prepare for a more robust menu in this region with a heavy focus on roasted meats. This is the home of comfort food and where you’ll find plenty of cocidos (Spanish stews), sopas de ajo (garlic soup), and manchego cheese.
Cataluña (Catalonia) - Heavily influenced by Italy, France, and the Mediterranean, Catalan food is bursting with flavor and creative fusion foods. Esqueixada (salt cod), mongetes amb botifarra (sausage and beans), and Escudella i carn d’olla (meat and mixed vegetable stew).
Northern Spain - This is Basque Country, and if you eat anything here, let us suggest one word: Pintxos. These bite sized flavor bombs are often topped with everything from seared green peppers, cheese, fresh octopus, to cured ham, croquettes and sausages. Pintxos are similar to tapas in that they are served at bars and taverns, but the ingredients are different. Northern Spain is also to some of the best Mediterranean influenced seafood dishes in the country.
If a culinary adventure through Spain sounds like your type of travel, we’d love turn that dream into a boarding pass.