Traditional cuisine of southern Spain. Valencia

10 dishes to try in Valencia

Being in Valencia and trying the local cuisine is a must on a holiday. Valencia's gastronomy is very diverse, although many people think that paella is the only dish worth trying. After all, this famous rice dish is familiar to many! But the traditional cuisine of Valencia has in its arsenal other, no less interesting and delicious dishes that deserve to be appreciated! The best way to do this is in restaurants that prepare traditional local cuisine. Let's take a look at the most important dishes of Valencia in Spain that are often found on restaurant menus:

1. Paella

Let's start, of course, with paella. Paella is said to have been invented in Valencia. Most of the rice (about 30%) produced in the whole of Spain is grown here. The main ingredient is of course rice. Traditional Valencia paella, which has won the hearts of many, includes chicken and rabbit meat, string beans, tomatoes, saffron and olive oil. Sometimes snails and artichokes are added. It's very flavorful. In fact, paella is prepared in different ways: with the addition of chorizo, seafood, vegetable. But paella valenciana is an integral part of the cuisine of this region.

2. Fideos(Fideuá)

Very often in restaurants there is such a dish as fideos - it is almost the same as paella, but instead of rice they prepare short thin noodles (fideos). It is a versatile dish and can be prepared with different fillings. But Fideuá is most often found with seafood.

3. Esgarraet

A Valencian cold dish whose main ingredients are roasted or fried peppers, salted cod, garlic and olive oil. It is often served as an appetizer(tapas) in Valencia bars. Esgarraet is garnished with olives and sometimes with dried tuna (mojama). It is a very interesting and light dish.

4. Valencian pastries - salted flatbread(Сoca valenciana)

This bakery product has similarities to pizza - it is also baked in the oven and topped with toppings (but usually without cheese). It used to be baked from leftover bread dough - to avoid throwing away the excess, the leftover bread dough was rolled into a flat oblong shape and baked with seasonal vegetables. Now it is a full-fledged dish that can be found in restaurants.

5. Eel with garlic and paprika(All i pebre)

A hot dish from the traditional cuisine of Valencia, whose main ingredients are eel, red pepper (paprika) and garlic. It is cooked in earthenware and its sauce is the main highlight. Garlic, bread, almonds and red pepper crushed in a mortar are slightly fried, water is added and the delicious sauce is ready. The eel is stewed in it (potatoes are often added) and soon you can enjoy this charming dish, not forgetting a piece of bread.

6. Titaina

For a long time this dish was prepared in the coastal villages of Valencia, and the recipe for titaina reached the city itself relatively recently. It is an appetizer that is good both hot and cold. To roasted garlic, pine nuts, green and red peppers in pieces add tomato and stew for half an hour, then add tuna (in the original recipe its belly) and can be served on bread or as a filling for a pie or sandwich.

7. Russian potato salad(Ensaladilla rusa)

One of the few salads in Spain that is dressed with mayonnaise. Although this salad can be found all over Spain, in Valencia it is offered in almost every restaurant, but more often as a tapas (appetizer) than as an independent dish. Spaniards compare this salad with Russian salad Olivier, and, yes, they have a lot in common: boiled potatoes, carrots and eggs with pickles, but instead of sausage (meat) they add tuna. And peas in enzaladiya rusa do not put, or replace it with chopped green olives. In general, not bad.

8. Horchata

It is a refreshing typical drink from Valencia (although it is said to have been invented and imported from Africa). Nevertheless, horchata can be found in many places in Spain, and in Valencia it is considered a traditional soft drink. It is made from the chufa earth nut, which is grown here in Valencia, it has an unusual and interesting flavor and is very good for the digestive system. The drink also contains water and a small amount of sugar.

9. Fartons

A traditional Valencian, sweet tube-shaped pastry, perfect for dipping in horchata. No one will be indifferent to these oblong, delicate buns, sprinkled with powdered sugar or glazed on top!

10. Pumpkin donuts(Buñuelos de calabaza)

These donuts are a very traditional dessert in Valencia during pumpkin season. It is a fried dough made of baked pumpkin puree. Unusual, with a delicious taste and aroma, pumpkin doughnuts make you pay attention to this vegetable and imagine the variety of dishes that can still be prepared with it. Try it if you see such a dessert in a restaurant.

In addition to the above-mentioned dishes, in Valencia's restaurants you can find a variety of tapas. These can be small sandwiches with chorizo, tortilla (fried potato omelet) or jamon (cured meat), as well as small amounts of fried seafood, such as squid rings. There are also great little fried green peppers (los pimientos del Padrón) - they taste amazing!