Kind of dishes or food that is authentically unique to Spain that I should try as a visitor to that country

Kind of dishes or food that is authentically unique to Spain that I should try as a visitor to that country

I cannot think of any food authentically unique to Spain, but to some region of Spain. You should try it in its region, since asking it anywhere else, it very well be totally different and not the original.

For instance, if in Madrid, you should ask for a “cocido madrileño”, like in this picture

Not pictured, the cocido also includes a soup, served first.

But there are many cocidos in Spain, almost every region has its own recipe.

This is a cocido leónes (from León), with a botillo, that it’s used only there

The following is a cocido maragato, very similar to the madrileño but served backwards, first the meat and finally the soup.

Another dish to try is the “cochinillo”, but better if you are in Castile (mainly, in Segovia), since in any other city you may or may not get a good roasted cochinillo.

If you are in Galicia, then try “Pulpo a feira” (octopus feira style)

or any of many Galician seafood delicacies

If you are in the Basque country, you should not miss the fish, like bacalao al pilpil (cod pilpil style)

or besugo al horno (baked or roasted bream)

or any of their steaks. Not missing their alubias (beans)

If in Aragón (also in Navare), pollo a la chilindrón (chilindrón chicken)

If in Catalonia, one should try escalivada, above, or a stew of calamari with potatoes, below

If in Valencia, try “arroz a banda” sometimes known as arroz senyoret (rice with seafood flavor, served with alioli), below:

or black rice (the black color comes from the calamari, not from any special type of rice)

If in Andalucia, then fried fish is the king, below

IN summer, either gazpacho andaluz or salmorejo from cordoba

This is gazpacho andaluz

and this is salmorejo, very similar though different. Both served very cold.

Do not confuse gazpacho andaluz with gazpacho manchego. they are totally different, this is gazpacho manchego, from La Mancha:

Of course, I have only included a few of some dishes in some regions, just de ones I chose to represent them since it is impossible to include just the most popular in every region.

In summary, what I meant is that in every region you should ask for food in that region, and never any food from any other region, otherwise you risk having to eat something not well prepared. Of course, in main cities, you will always find restaurants specialized in such region cuisine, but if you do not know it is their specialty, it will be up to you to find out, no guarantee

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