Food! Glorious Food. I have so many things to say about food in Spain but today I will focus on my favorite thing to date. Little bites. Those of you who know me well know that I would rather eat a snack over eating a meal any day. We have come to the right place. Spain is all about the little bites....or the huge plates but I am not ordering one of those.
Part 1: Actual Snacks
The potato chip selection is similar to the US. You can by regular Lays brand chips, salt and vinegar, Sour cream and onion, and Ham,,,,no surprise there. We tried a bag of the Lays Jamón Serano, and they were good. We all commented that they tasted like ham. Some how we neglected to take a picture of the bag. But we did get a picture of the Roasted Chicken and Lemon flavored ones we bought for a picnic on Monday. We are split on these. I care for them less while the other two like them... I think they taste too much like chicken.
Part 2: Cafés
The breakfast scene is a bit like Hobbits eating. There is Breakfast usually on your way to work or school then snack or second breakfast, as I like to call it, between 10-12. Your breakfast is typically light and varies depending on where you live in Spain. For instance the Madrid area is known for Churros con Chocolaté. Zarragoza is known for café and Pan Tomaté. Toasted bread topped with fresh tomato puré. I am in heaven,
Second breakfast, is usually beverage and another bite of something. We had an earlier than usual morning today because of a few early appointments. So on the way back to the apartment we popped into the corner Café and grabbed 2nd breakfast. A bottle of water, a café con leche and pan con chocolaté (2 chocolate croissants) all for €5.50 .
Part 3: Tapas and Other Such Foods
Lunch is traditionally the big meal in Spain and is served sometime between 1-3pm. We have eaten out for lunch a few times. The fare seems to consist of bocadillos (sandwiches), raciónes (hot meals like chicken and rice, steak and fries, paella, pizza {ham & pineapple}), or platos combinados (Huge dishes with a meal and salad and side. Even Carlos says it is too much food for any one person) So we have taken to eating at the rental.
Diner starts at 9 but most café/bars open by 7 for tapas. They frequently have tablas (left) and tapas (right). Tablas are basically charcutier boards. They vary from establishment to establishment but are meant to be shared and are in the €15-€20 range. Tapas also vary from bar to bar and region to region. They can be gratis (free) with a drink (alcoholic or otherwise) or as a deal like the one below. Four tapas for €6.00.
This is my fave right here. I love snackner (snacks for dinner). Now we usually will add more fruit and veg to the platter but I am hooked. CNN even had an article on it yesterday (Link below) where they refer to this type of dining as girl diner.
Our proximity to the central market and to a grocery store are allowing me to eat almost exclusively like this. Spanish olives, cherries bigger than golf balls with tiny pits, white peaches the size of golf balls but so juicy, local tomatoes, fresh baked baguettes, local cheeses, dried fruits, local hams, roasted chicken, nuts.....this combos are endless. I am a in my element and I LOVE it.
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