Positioned on the Atlantic coast in the northwest of Spain, Galicia is a seafood lovers paradise. There are over eighty species of fish caught off the coast of Galicia and most can be found on the seafood stalls of the coastal towns. Crabs and lobsters abound in the area and dotted along estuary shorelines are restaurants specialising in these delicacies. The wonderful aroma of freshly fried fish with garlic parsley and lemon, wafts through the streets of the coastal villages. Mussels, squid and a massive variety of clams, cockles and prawns are abundant. No wonder then that Galicia is known as the seafood capital of Spain.
Galician food is quite rustic but modern day chefs often give the menu's a new twist and what were local everyday dishes are turned into something quite spectacular. The rocky coast around La Coruna is called the Costa de Morte or death coast because of the numbers of boats which have capsized in the area, fishing boats take huge risks trawling here, the Atlantic weather is often unpredictable.
Pulpo
Where else other than Galicia, could you find street vendors selling octopus? Octopus or Pulpo is a Galician delicacy. After being beaten to tenderise the pulpo is boiled in large vessels before being cut into small pieces and flavoured with salt and paprika .
Buy Galician Octopus (Pulpo) Online
Pulpo Tapa In Santiago de Compostela
Pulpo by Matiz (Octopus) (4.2 ounce)
Percebes
If you want to sample a real Galician speciality try some percebes. Percebes are goose neck barnacles which are a Galician favourite harvested from the rocks around the shoreline when the tide is in. Gathering these creatures is no mean feat and can be quite dangerous, The result is that percebes fetch a very high price. They are cooked by immersing in boiling water for a couple of minutes. Eating them isn't easy, the flesh is squeezed out of the leathery tube, usually covering the diner in juice. The shell part is discarded. The best way to describe them is a shellfish texture with a strong sweetish taste of the sea Very nice but very expensive. Wash them down with a cold crisp dry white wine.
Want To Try Percebes?
Exclusively From La Tienda
If we've managed to arouse your curiosity and your tempted to buy some percebes, they are available exclusively in the U.S from specialist Spanish food importer La Tienda. This is the first time that percebes have been on sale in the U.S
Limited Stock
The Coquille St Jacque
As well as being delicious, scallops are a symbol of Galicia and the pilgrims way. The French name for scallop is coquille St Jacque or the St James cockle and even today people walking the pilgrims way wear the scallop badge. Santiago de Compestela has some excellent seafood restaurants. The local wines Ribeiro and Albarino are the perfect accompaniment to seafood.
Ham Cheese Chorizo
Ham is another Galician favourite, the hams are cured for considerably less time in Galicia than most of the rest of Spain producing a lighter flavour and a firmer texture without excessive salt. Smoked pork sausage or "chorizo" is also produced in the area and is used in many dishes including casseroles. The lush countryside in Galicia produces some fine cattle and veal features highly in many Galician restaurants. The town of Padron is famous for the small green Russian Roulette chillis eaten all over Spain. Some are mild while others contain a powerful kick but they look exactly the same. The lush pastures of Galicia make ideal grazing for the large number of cattle in the region. One of Spain's most popular cheeses, San Simon, comes from Galicia. San Simon is a smoked cow's milk cheese which is conically shaped with a brown skin. It is similar in texture to Edam.
Buy Spanish Ham Online In The U.S
Spain is renowned for the quality of the air cured ham it produces. Up until recently, it was almost impossible to buy authentic Spanish ham in the U.S but thanks to the internet, there are now a number of speciality food importers supplying a large variety of Spanish food to the U.S market. Opposite, we have listed a range of Spanish hams from the Amazon pages of two of the largest suppliers, La Tienda and Igourmet. For a fantastic taste experience, try some slices of Iberico ham with some Manchego cheese and a glass of red Rioja wine.
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Buy Spanish Cheese Online In The U.S
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Spain is a prolific cheese producer, Spanish supermarkets offer a huge array of cheeses from across Spain. The majority of Spanish cheese comes from the lush northern regions of Asturias, Galicia Cantabria and the Basque Country but the majority of regions have their own varieties. Manchego, Spain's most famous cheese is made from sheep's milk in the region of Castilla La Mancha. Up until recently it was difficult to find a Spanish cheese supplier in the U.S but today there are a number of online food importers who stock an excellent variety of cheese from all over Spain.
Buy Spanish Tapas Online In The U.S
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Tapas bars have sprung up all over the world and Catalonia, especially in cities like Barcelona have some of the best tapas bars in the whole of Spain. Spanish food importers are catering for the upsurge in the popularity of tapas and have a variety of ingredients and other products for anybody wanting to re create the tapas experience at home. We have listed a selection of tapas kits and speciality products from some of the internet's top importers here.
Buy Spanish Gift Baskets Online In The U.S
If you have any aspiring gourmands in the family, a Spanish food basket would make the ideal gift. There are a number of specialist Spanish food importers supplying a variety of gift baskets with products ranging from air cured ham to rare cheeses, herbs, spices and Spanish wines. These hard to find ingredients are perfect for creating a taste of Spain at home. We have listed a nice selection from two of the largest suppliers, La Tienda and Igourmet. Click photos for full details.
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Buying Spanish Food Online In The UK
If you live in the U.K, you can buy a large range of authentic Spanish food from Iber Gourmet. Iber Gourmet stock some excellent Spanish cheeses, hams and a variety of products you're unlikely to find in the supermarket, all with delivery straight to your door. To see what's available Click Here
