What do people eat in Spain?

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basketmaniac

We eat what itÂ´s called the "mediterranean diet", which includes: pulse (legumes) cooked in many different ways
vegetables: either fresh (salads) or boiled
olive oil, used for salads or for frying with it.
lots of fresh fruit

We usually have a two or three course meal for lunch at about 2.30 or 3 pm. Lunch is our main meal and itÂ´s usually quite elaborate:
First we have paella, stew, pasta or soup
Then we have either meat (fried, roasted or grilled), fish (fried, boiled or grilled) or maybe eggs (fried or omelette). This course is served with frenchfries or salad, if we have not had salad to start the meal.
Then dessert: usually fruit. Children also take yoghurt and special days some people fix "natillas" (custard) or "flan" (caramel custard) or perhaps some pie or cake.

Lunch is our main meal, so shops and offices close from 1.30 to 5 pm, as everybody needs to have some rest after such big meal!! Then everything opens again from 5 to 8.30 pm. Our dinner is quite late compared to Europe: at about 10 pm. ItÂ´s usually lighter than lunch, although it depends on the family; my children, for example, can have a big dish of frenchfries with a steak and then fruit for the dessert!!!

derf

The cuisine of Spain is amazingly varied. The gastronomy varies by region dramatically.

The gastronomy in Spain is heavily influenced by the different cultures which have passed through the Iberian peninsula: Roman, Visigoth, and Arabic. see http://www.spain4uk.co.uk/eats/gastronomy.htm for more details

The World

Hello, July11,

I don't know what you mean exactly with your question, but I am Spanish and I can say that we don't eat "legumes" but legumbres (lentils, beans, etc.), not empanidas but empanadas (a delicious salty pie with onion, pepper and other things, such as tuna, meat, chorizo, seafood, octopus or whatever you want to put inside, even though the most typical is the tuna one)
and empanadillas (a small version of the empanada)
Also, I agree that our cuisine is so varied. We have a Mediterranean cooking, yes, but we also have an Atlantic one, in the northwest (I am Atlantic, my father is from Galicia and my mother from Cantabria, a small charming northern region)

In Galicia we eat a lot of seafood, like lobster, musles, prawns, crabs, etc. Also, the "empanada" is typical from here. We eat a lot of fish, specially boiled with boiled potatoes and different sauces. We also eat a lot of pork (a typical dish is "lacon con grelos" (a part of the pork wich is salty with a sour vegetable which grows in this region combined with boiled potatoes and chorizo) As you know, chorizo is a delicious red sausage, sometimes smoked, sometimes spicy. We also eat a hot stew made from potatoes, grelos, beans and parts of the pork.
There are a lot of different pork sausages, but the best thing form the pork is a smoked ham (jamon serrano) which is made in Extremadura and is called jamon de Jabugo.
In the south they eat more fried fish, salads and cold dishes such as Andalusian smooth "gazpacho" (a puree of tomato, pepper, onion and other vegetables)
In Valencia they eat the delicious famous "paella" made with Valencian rice, seafood, chicken, pepper, onion, peas, etc. (depends on teh version)
In Asturias they drink delicious sidra (apple slightly alcoholic drink)
In Castilia they it roasted meat, such as the roasted lamb in Burgos or the roasted pork in Segovia.
In Madrid, as in any big city, you have a lot of international restaurants, but typical churros (a fried sweet pastry with starred-tube shape) are eaten for breakfast together with chocolate. Also, they have sea snails,
In Cataluna they eat a lot of grilled food, such as mushrooms, snails, artichokes, etc. They drink and sell to all Spain a delicious sparkling wine called cava, but only during Christmas and special celebrations. They also produce almonds, nuts, fruits, etc.

In La Rioja and Navarra, the river Ebro makes earth as fertile as to grow very good vegetables, such as asparragus, artichokes, mushrooms, and the best wine (in my opinion)

Everywhere we eat tortilla de patatas (potato omelette, made with olive oil) and we cook everything with olive oil, which is the healthiest fat. And we drink white or red wine and an enormous variety of cheeses, from the smoothes to the oldest, which experts say to be the best ones and only exist in Spain (the "queso curado") Also, we drink sangria (red wine with fruits)

I could continue so longer... but I hope this is already enough.

Enjoy your meal!

gaby f

paella, chorizo, arroz con leche, morzilla, mariscos, tortilla, lentejas, garbansos, mucho pan.... etc..

elENTERAOlaCAJAelAGUA

Our diet is extremely varied, but basically: soups and stews, rice, pasta (not a lot, compared to europe), fish and seafood (one of the biggest consumers), eggs and meat (chicken is a winner, followed by pork and beef,...lamb only regionally), quite a lot of fruit and the ever present olive oil. Obviously there is also the option of fast food (american) and exotic cuisine (chinese win, by far). We eat good and healthy, normally. Our weakest point: a too frugal breakfast,...and a traditionally heavy lunch,...maybe dinners are a bit copious and late.

One of the best countries in the world gastronomically.

BABYGRAPE

breakfast/ toast with ham,tomatoe with olive oil,or a cake/bread.
lunch(main meal of the day) start with a bowl of soup/stew/rice/salad/prawns and then have mabe a steak/pasta/more fish,,normaly chips will be for sharing and you always eat with bread if there is no bread they panic!!!
dinner/pizza/baquette/tortilla/sanwidg...

Raine

One can find almost anything in Spain. Even some of your favorite fast food restaurants! If you want something quick and easy (but still really tasty!) there are bars everywhere that serve tapas of all kinds. The bars in Spain are more of a gathering place to have a drink, alcoholic or non, and some thing to eat. It's more of a family place where children are welcome as opposed to a party spot where the idea is to hang out and get drunk. Not to say that's all we have here! I think I lived on tortilla sandwiches while I was there.Spanish tortillas are like very thick, fluffy omelets. Most meals in a regular restaurant always come with good homemade bread. Meat, vegetable and other dishes are often ordered separately but come together. Food is usually very fresh and there are so many different possibilities there is not enough room to mention them all. It is most definitely worth trying!

Stila 4

If u go to spain u cant leave without trying paella is one of their best classic dishes thats what their known for.

ghostoftombrady

grilled sardines
steamed mussells
cod
hake
lamb
steak
and lots of wine

chiefof nothing

Food
just like people the world over...
digests much better than either rocks or dirt

Miguelette S

Paella = rice dish with meat and vegies or seafood.
Jamon - cured ham, tapas
Mahou beer is good, cola cao chocolate drink is great.
Tortilla de Patata - omelete with potatoes
Dark chocolate and plenty of strong coffee
Horchata - sweet nutty drink made from chuffas(sort of almondy, only in Spain)

s p

i can ask my friend that lives in madrid, but im pretty sure hes gonna say food

Stel 1

Try paella plz u wont regret it.

Rene B

Try tapas, paella, and churros. Try also the black paella-had this in one restaurant at Plaza Mayor in Madrid. It was good.

petal

Paella
Spanish omlette
Tapas

Just a few that spring to mind.

Barbra Jean

Some dishes include:
Tapas
Paella
Marzipan (Candy)
Empinadas

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