Try the most typical dishes of Catalan cuisine
Every Catalan cuisine restaurant is a large part of the Mediterranean culture and represents one of the most influential cuisines in the Western world. The basin of the Mediterranean Sea has a gastronomic tradition that has been accentuated and widespread for centuries. In this way, ingredients, preparations, and specialties are combined that provide unique character to each regional culture. And this is the case with typical Catalan food.
Published: Friday, October 8, 2021Origins of Catalan gastronomy
The culinary creations of traditional Catalan cuisine were influenced by conquerors of its coasts, such as Romans, Greeks, and Muslims. Later, the later Spanish colonies overseas contributed new ingredients, such as potatoes and tomatoes, which became part of the regional diet.
The gastronomic origins of Catalonia are complex, as there has been a process of cultural exchange between some and other regions of the community. Catalan food has been notably enriched from all this.
What else is eaten in Barcelona
As it has one of the most important historical ports on the Mediterranean, the province of Barcelona is where Catalan cuisine is mostly condensed. Here are some of the typical dishes of Catalan cuisine that you have to try if you go to Barcelona:
Pa amb tomàquet
They are slices of bread with rubbed tomatoes, salt, and olive oil. There is never a shortage of bread with tomatoes on a family table or in Catalan restaurants.
Escalivada
It is a cold dish of roasted vegetables, peppers, eggplants, and onions, among others. Once cold, remove the skin and seeds, and cut them into strips in a bowl. The escalivada is served seasoned with olive oil, salt, and vinegar.
Calçots con Salsa Romesco
Calçot is a typical Catalan onion that is roasted on the fire, on firewood. They can be eaten alone or accompanied by romesco sauce, which is composed of garlic, almonds, and oil.
Canelones
This typical Catalan dish is never missing on the table on holidays. The stuffed cannelloni is covered with bechamel, grated cheese, and au gratin in the oven.
What is the traditional food of Catalonia?
All Catalan food is based on the Mediterranean diet. Both the province of Barcelona and Girona, Tarragona, and Lleida combine their cuisine to enrich any restaurant serving Catalan cuisine. Let's see a small sample of the dishes of the most famous provinces of Catalonia:
Cargols a la llauna
Although you can find them in any restaurant serving Catalan cuisine, Cargols a la llauna is the star dish of Lleida, the only province without a coast in Catalonia. The can is a kind of tray where the snails or earth snails are presented, cooked and covered with seasoned and spicy sauce.
Fricandó de vedella amb bolets y orellanes
Or, what is the same, beef stew with mushrooms and orejones. It is another of the typical dishes of Catalonia, originally from Lleida. The beef fricandó with mushrooms and orellanes is a stew prepared in a clay pot, which is complemented by a touch of white wine, nuts and toast.
Mar y montaña
It is the typical food of the Costa Brava of Girona. If you order this dish, they will bring you a chicken stew with scampi, cooked in a clay pot with leeks, herbs and broth. The final touch is baked. It is possible that each Catalan cuisine restaurant presents its variants of this dish.
Suquet de peix
The suquet de peix or fish suquet is also a typical meal of the Catalan restaurants from Costa Brava. It consists of a stew of different fish over a light sauce, a dish closely associated with sailors.
Xarró tarragoní
The Xarró tarragoní, known as xarro or farro, is the most typical food of Tarragona. It is part of the traditional Catalan cuisine and is prepared with bones and pig ears, veal, leeks, beans, potatoes and other vegetables. A complete dish to feel the Mediterranean heat even in winter.
Romescada
La Romescada also comes from Tarragona. It is a casserole made up of the most varied types of fish, mollusks and shellfish, as well as vegetables, nuts and fried bread. You can find cod romescada or hake romescada in any Catalan cuisine restaurant.