Just as in Oriental cuisine it is customary to serve different types of appetizers at the table, so the Spaniards adopted this ritual, but with them it bears the name tapas. Tapas are all kinds of salads, sausages, fish and seafood delicacies and what not, but always in small portions.
On June 16, we celebrate World Tapas Day, so let's talk a little more about these delicious appetizers, which are one of the wonders of Spain and which very often replace an entire dinner.
As a rule, their idea is not to serve as a meal, but simply to whet the appetite of the people and prepare them for the main course. Tapas are available in almost all establishments in Spain.
Here are the main types of tapas in Spanish cuisine and a brief description of them:
1. Meatballs with tomato sauce
The typical tapas that you can order in Madrid, but they actually have Arabic roots. They are small balls of minced meat with tomato sauce, to which peas can be added.
2. Spanish sausages
Spain is famous for its sausages, like Switzerland is famous for its cheese. In tapas form, they are usually offered thinly sliced and served on a small board. Among the preferred sausages are chorizo, white and black sausage, salchichón, bisbe, fuet, etc.
3. Olives
Spain is the country where the most olive trees are planted in Europe and it is no wonder that their fruit are so widespread. Usually stuffed olives with peppers, pickles or anchovies are offered as tapas.
4. Meat or potato croquettes
Undoubtedly, they are a French specialty, but the Spanish also enjoy them very much, served as tapas.
5. Calamari
They are usually fried or breaded and take on the appearance of chips. They go very well with a glass of cold beer.
6. Choco
This is cuttlefish that is grilled and seasoned with parsley and garlic.
7. Pincho de tortilla
It is a potato tortilla served with a small slice of bread. This type of tapas is characteristic of the Basque Country.
8. Nuts
They can be the most diverse, but the most common are almonds, which are consumed with a glass of Jerez (the Spanish sherry).
9. Fried small fish
It can be anything, but fried goby are preferred.
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