It is very essential for you to know what to eat when you are visiting the beautiful city of Barcelona. The Barcelona cuisine is right in the middle of the Mediterranean cuisine and popular as a result of its simple garments and fresh products. It uses olive oil as well as other species like parsley, pepper etc. Those who live in Barcelona are known to eat bolets- rabbit, snails and wild mushrooms with a touch of garlic and onion. These two are the major ingredients that can’t be missed from any meal from the Catalan’s. From tasty tapas to outstanding traditional roasts and seafood, Spanish food is all about making the most of the best local produce.
The district of Catalonia has a vibrant cooking reputation, both for its customary staples and nueva cocina, a cutting-edge gastronomical de-construction drive regulated by the most famous chefs in the world, which mixes the unexpected flavors, turn foods into foams. The price, nevertheless, equals the idea, so let’s take you on a ride on some of the best cuisines you should try on your next visit to Barcelona or peradventure you are there and don’t know what to eat. This will help you as a guide.
Paella
Let’s begin with one of the most popular dishes. The city of Barcelona is home to the Paella and this is not just an opinion, but a fact. In the port area of Barcelona you can find it there. It is a dish of rich, saffron and meat. It has various variant, but the most famous is the Paella de Marisco.
Bread with tomatoes
Does it sound simple? In Barcelona, this is one of the best foods. It is mostly neglected because of how simple it is. All that is needed is the best quality bread, tomatoes, garlic and olive oil for this Catalan snack. Firstly, you take the bread you have toasted and rub it with raw garlic. The funny thing is that you don’t have to peel the garlic, but some do. What follows is the cutting of the tomato into two. For locals, they use the scrumptious tomato known as Tomàquet de Ramellet and press it as you put it through the bread. After that, sprinkle it with the finest class extra virgin olive oil and top with a pinch of sea salt. If you are visiting and staying love in Barcelona, then you should try this out, at least you learn a new dish before leaving Spain.
Tapas
The name is derived from the historic tradition of the taverns. This is where Tapaban do open wine bottles and a piece of the brand. The top can be either be served cold or hot, and there are different variants for each region. The most widespread are: manchego cheese (pecorino), anchovies (anchovies in vinegar), cod (salted cod served with bread and tomato), patatas bravas (fried potatoes spicy sauce), banderillas (skewers with fish, vegetables, eggs and olives), salad of red peppers (salad of red peppers), fried shrimp (grilled shrimp), baby squid (fried squid), Spanish omelette (omelette with potatoes and onions), skewered meat (tender pieces of beef), etc.
Crema Catalana
Pointless to say something else: this is one of the preferred desserts! This is actually classic of Catalonia (just as the name implies), while many nations are claiming their source. According to folktale, this dessert was born in a monastery in Catalonia, where the sisters tried to cook a dessert to usher in the bishop. The dessert, however, was too watery, so it was enclosed with scorched sugar to make a crunchy film. When the Bishop tried it, at then still hot, there was an exclamation from her cream! Which in Catalan denotes very hot? Then this gave rise to the name cream cremated. This is widely loved among those living in Barcelona. No need to explain further, you have to taste it on your next trip to Spain.
Sauces
This cuisine offers you much kind of sauces, all delicious and special. There is chopped or romesco, sofrito, aioli and ratatouille. The aioli is made up of olive oil and garlic, but very dense, the ratatouille is made with pepper, eggplant and tomatoes, the sofrito is made with garlic, tomato, onion and olive oil and the romesco is made with toasted almonds, saffron, parsley, pine nuts and cinnamon. These are just a few to mention among many.
Bolets
Every season, the Catalans go gaga because of the bolets. For those who don’t know what bolets are, they are mushrooms, and they must be enchanted for people to go heads over heels for them! Hunting of mushroom is a tradition in Catalunya. The Catalans go into the forest to search in the cranes and nooks just to bring the bolets from the bushes to the dinner table. Sometimes, I am even afraid for the amateurs who venture into the forest picking up the mushrooms – which can be poisonous some time.
Canelons
To the Catalan, this is their own version of the stuffed pasta rolls or the equivalent of rolled rice noodles. This is a traditional meal that in most part of the city is eaten on Boxing Day. They can be stuffed with different delicious filling like spinach, minced meat and codfish. They were brought to Barcelona by an Italian chef as far as the 19th century. But today the history doesn’t matter, all that matters is their Canelons. They are ready-made and can be bought from any super market of your choice. Apart from this, many restaurants have it on their menu.
Sarsuela
Finally, you should try out the Sarsuela, which is a seafood medley – it’s the diversity of the Catalan food. It comprises of different types of white fish, crayfish or lobster, prawns, squid, shrimp, clams and mussels. These ingredients are mixed together in a casserole with tomato, olive oil, sherry, lemon, white wine, paprika and a host of other spices. Yumming it is!
So visiting one of the cities in Barcelona doesn’t have to be boring with nothing to eat.
- CEO of Events Marketing Group, an events agency based in Barcelona
- Event organiser since 2011
- Entrepreneur, SEO specialist and web designer since 2003