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Tapas - A Spanish
Tradition
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The origins of the famous Spanish tradition of TAPAS
are a subject of much debate, but it is known that King Felipe II insisted that
all tavern owners serve a tapa with each glass of wine to reduce
drunkenness. The word 'tapa' means 'lid' or 'covering' and customers were
invited to try these tasty morsels. What they did not realise was that
extra salt was added to encourage another glass of wine! In modern times
less salt is added but a charge is made for tapas; they are still a tasty and
reasonably priced way to try a variety of the local dishes. In most bars
and taverns the tapas are arranged on the counter so you can see what's
available, or displayed on a blackboard behind the bar. If you enjoy a
particular tapa you can order a 'ración' of it, and it will be served as
a main course with fresh bread and a mixed salad. Tapas vary from bar to
bar but these are some of the more common:
| Albondigas |
Home made meatballs cooked in a tomato and
herb sauce |
| Boquerones en Vinagre |
Fresh anchovies marinated in oil, garlic
and vinegar. The best anchovies are caught off Estepona |
| Carne con Tomate |
Diced pork cooked in a thick tomato sauce |
| Ensaladilla Russa |
A cold dish of mashed potato, tuna,
peppers and mixed vegetables bound with mayonnaise |
| Gambas a la Plancha |
Large unpeeled prawns cooked on a hot
plate with salt |
| Habas y Jamon |
Large broad beans fried with small chunks
of cured ham |
| Pinchitos |
Marinated spicy pork or chicken cooked on
skewers and served with peppers and onion |
| Sardinas |
Freshly cooked sardines, normally cooked
on a hot plate with salt or, in the chiringuitos (beach bars), barbequed on
a wooden spit and served with fresh bread |
| Tortilla Española |
Potatoes, onion and garlic fried in an
omelette |
Other tapas may be available, it's well worth shopping around:
|
Aceitunas |
Olives |
Chorizo |
Spicy sausage |
|
Escalibaba |
Aubergine salad |
Cocido |
Stew |
|
Anchoas |
Anchovies |
Mejillones |
Mussels |
|
Gambas |
Shrimp |
Navajas |
Razor clams |
|
Berberechos |
Cockles |
Patatas alli olli |
Potatoes in mayonnaise |
|
Habas |
Beans |
Patatas bravas |
Spicy potatoes |
|
Calamares |
Squid |
Pimientos |
Peppers |
|
Higado |
Liver |
Pincho muruno |
Kebab |
|
Callos |
Tripe |
Pulpo |
Octopus |
|
Huevo cocido |
Hard boiled egg |
Riñones al jeréz |
Kidneys in sherry |
|
Caracoles |
Snails |
Salchichón |
Salami |
|
Jamón serrano |
Dried ham |
Sepia |
Cuttlefish |
|
Carne en salsa |
Meat in tomato sauce |
Garbanzos |
Chickpeas |
|
Jamón York |
Cooked ham |
Tortilla Francesca |
Plain omelette |
|
Cabrillas |
Large snails with tomato |
Salchicha |
Sausage |
|
Caracoles |
Snails |
Pisto |
Ratatouille |
|
Champiñones |
Mushrooms |
Empanadilla |
Fish or meat pastry |
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