One of the best things about visiting Galicia is its food. Galician food is renowned for its use of fresh seafood and locally grown ingredients. With its extensive coastline and green pastures, the freshness of the produce shows in the amazing flavours. Potatoes and pork also feature in many recipes and menus and every meal in Galicia is usually accompanied by rustic style Galician bread. Here is a little about some Galician favourites.
This is probably the most well known or emblematic Galician dish. Although it seems simple it is a great dish. Perhaps it’s the simplicity. Perhaps it’s the freshness of the Galician octopus. Usually served on a wooden round plate you have to give it a try. Nearly every restaurant in Galicia will offer it and it can be found throughout Spain as well.
This is one of the things I like best about eating in Galicia. The bread is a rustic style bread that has such a wonderful flavour and texture. Great on its own, it’s also the best thing ever with soups and soaking up the flavours of whatever you are eating. Virtually every meal is accompanied by bread.
These small green peppers originate from the small town of Padron. Padron is located 30 minutes from Santiago de Compostela. Fried with a sprinkle of salt, they are one of my favourite snacks. About one in every 6 to 10 is hot whilst the rest are very mild. Eating them is always a bit of an adventure because you can’t tell a hot one until you eat it.
Galician style empanadas are large pie like dishes with a thicker pastry. A typical Galician empanada is usually filled with tuna or pork. You can also find them filled with chicken, chicken and mushroom, octopus and shellfish. A great empanada is a simple, but amazingly tasty and convenient food.
If you go to Santiago de Compostela, you cannot help but see Tarta de Santiago. This cake is native to Santiago but also found throughout Galicia. You will find it for sale in almost every restaurant in Santiago as well as every tourist shop.
Razor clams or Navajas thrive in the cool waters of Galicia. They don´t look like any other clam or seafood. They will often appear on english translated menus just as Razors which just sounds dangerous let alone appealing. Definitely worth trying.
More foods coming soon.