Why the cuisine of
Catalonia is special

Many Spanish food connoisseurs consider Catalan cuisine (along with the Basque cuisine) to have the finest regional cooking of Spain.

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Insights on the
cuisine of Catalonia

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Differences

Not only is the cooking style of Catalonia distinct from the rest of Spain, the citizens speak a different language (Catalan).

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Seasonal

The fare of Catalonia is more seasonal than elsewhere in Spain.

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Wild game

It is often on the menu, especially in the fall.

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The French connection

Some aspects of Catalan cooking is more French than Spanish (Catalonia lies directly south of France).

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Famous specialties
of Catalonia

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Zarzuela de Mariscos

This is the most famous dish of Catalonia. A zarzuela is literally an operetta, figuratively a big deal or a mess. A Zarzuela de Mariscos is a "mess of shellfish" in a white wine-sauce. Ingredients often include shrimp, squid, tallinas (small clams), cigalas (small lobsterlike crustaceans with big claws), and langostas (big spiny lobsters without claws).

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Parrillada de pescado

A medley of grilled fish and shellfish.

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Major culinary city

Barcelona is the top all around food city in Catalonia. Criteria include cooking, food markets, cooking ingredients, cooking schools, beverages, dining and restaurants. Tarragona is the runner-up.

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Test yourself

How many of these major
world cuisines do you know well?

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