Buen Provecho!

The food of Spain may not be as well known as Italian, as processed as American, or as commercialized as Chinese or Texmex, but it entertains its own unique flavor derived from the Spanish culture and influences.

It is not unusual to walk by a shop in the Spanish streets and see in the window whole legs of sows complete with hoof and thigh. For someone from the U.S., whose knowledge of the butcher often extends no further than the frozen food aisle, this can be somewhat disconcerting. But the feeling of nausea must be quickly mastered, because ham is by far the most common meat in Spain and has special cultural importance for the Iberian peninsula. Thanks to the expulsion of the Jews and Muslims from Spain as well as the subsequent Inquisition in the Middle Ages, pork took on a very important role in the culture and religion of Spain. Pork became a staple in most households because it stands as a symbol of Christianity as it differs from the Muslim and Jewish religious practices. In a time when the Catholic faith was being championed by the Reconquest, Counterreformation and Inquisition, something as superficial as the consumption of pork confirmed your orthodoxy. Centuries later, pork remains a staple in the Spanish diet.

While pork is used around Spain, it is perhaps most used in the region of Castile and Leon due to its central location. In the coastal cities of Spain, seafood is emphasized instead. In Barcelona, the seafood is always fresh and always abundant. Both seafood and pork are used in dishes like paella – a popular rice dish of the Spanish people. On the other hand, fresh vegetables and potatoes contribute to the Spanish tortilla, gazpacho and olive oil.

In terms of drinks, Spain is anything but lacking. While certain regions of Spain boast large vineyards and artisan wines, Sangria remains the drink of choice in most Spanish establishments. Many times a caña of Sangria is served with tapas (Spanish hors d’oeuvres) late into the Iberian night. The diverse ingredients that make up Sangria – red wine, fruit juice, rum, sugar and fresh fruit - resemble the diverse cultures that have contributed to the history of Spain and Europe at large.