Traditional Food in Spain

In comparison to the food in neighbouring European countries, the food in Spain is quite simple. Food is cooked in Spain using only a few spices; however, garlic is the exception to this rule as it is found in abundance in most food in Spain.  Despite the simple ingredients and recipes for food in Spain, one will be pleased to know that eating food in Spain is a communal and hearty affair with food portions in Spain being quite large.

Staple Traditional food in Spain

The food in Spain varies to a degree between different regions, with each region of Spain having its own special food. Wherever you go in Spain though, you will find a few staple foods on every table in Spain. People in Spain like to eat their food with bread, often dipped in lovely olive oil produced in Spain.  Visitors to Spain will also find that cured ham is an extremely popular food and in every town one will find this food often hanging from the ceilings of delicatessens throughout Spain.

Traditional Sea food in Spain

Spain has a long shoreline and a history of fishing for sea food. Popular types of sea food in Spain include anchovies, tuna, sardines and cod. Anchovies are a common food in Spain often found in salads or other dishes, while the cod eaten in Spain is often dried and salted and is a main feature in the food of the Basque region in Northern Spain. Lovers of sea food will be pleased to know that no matter where you are in Spain you can almost always get fresh sea food often caught the same day in the waters off the coast of Spain.

Traditional Finger food in Spain

Finger food is a prominent feature in Spain and an integral part of socialising the Spanish way. Finger food, or tapas as it is known in Spain, can be anything that is served as a finger food usually in a small bowl. This finger food can be anything from cheese & ham to olives and is usually eaten at the same time as drinking at a tapas bar. The finger food is usually left out on bars and people in Spain will nibble away while drinking and socialising at the bar.

Traditional lunch & dinner food in Spain

Lunch is the main meal of the day in Spain involving the most copious amounts of food being consumed. Food can often be served in three or more courses for lunch in Spain, often with soup or stew as a starter. People in Spain eat lunch quite late in the day, often from 2pm onwards and the plentiful amount of food that is consumed at lunchtime in Spain means that this is often a 2 hour affair followed by a siesta. The food eaten for dinner in Spain is often the same as that served at lunch although probably lighter.