Catalonia Cuisine - by food author Howard Hillman

Catalonia Cuisine

Spanish
culinary area

Catalonia

a concise guide
for diners & travelers

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.

Insights on the
cuisine of Catalonia

Differences

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

Seasonal

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

Wild game

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

The French connection

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

Famous specialties
of Catalonia

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).

Parrillada de pescado

A medley of grilled fish and shellfish.

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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