Tortilla Española, Gazpacho, Croquetas, Montaditos, Solomillo con Salsa, Patatas Bravas, the list of delicious Spanish foods goes on and on. However, my favorite part of Spanish food is not one specific food, but a variety of food referred to as
Tapas Before coming to Spain I had never even heard of Tapas. They are now one of my favorite types of food. They are small portions of food and do not cost much, so you can get many during one meal.
One of my favorites and one of the most traditional Tapas is the Spanish Tortilla, otherwise referred to as Tortilla Española. The first time I got this meal I expected it to be similar if not exactly the same as a Mexican tortilla. I was very surprised when it turned out to be more similar to a mix between an omelet and a quiche. It is like a delicious savory slice of cake made out of eggs and milk with potatoes and sometimes onions or green peppers.
Another Tapa that I absolutely love is Montaditos. These are little sandwiches that are typically on a Spanish roll and vary with what is placed inside of them. They range from ham and cheese, to meet and tomato, to chocolate and almonds, and more. These are great because they are both simple and very flavorful.
The actual places that serve the Tapas are yet another addition to the experience. Many restaurants or cafes that serve Tapas have a very authentic ambiance. These are the kinds of places where I have found I feel most like I am getting a feel for the modern Spanish culture. They normally have a few stilted tables and seats, and sometimes a bar area. The floors often are covered in authentic Spanish Tile and the chairs and tables made of wood. I was surprised for the first time I got Tapas because the server came and asked for our orders directly after we had sat down. After the meal they did not ask us if we wanted a check or if we wanted anything else, they let us sit for a very long time until we were ready to go. This is how many restaurants are in Spain; they are much more relaxed and oriented around enjoying yourself and socializing rather than just eating and leaving.
After spending several months in Spain I have found that there is a lot of good food here. Tapas are one of my favorite because they are so versatile you can get as little or as much as you want and there is such a great variety.
