There's no doubt about it, Spaniards love their food and normally spend a good part of their day at the dining table with friends and family. Holidays are the perfect opportunity to experiment with the native cuisine, so why not try some of the local dishes when you feel peckish late at night?
Cheap holiday deals call for light, budget-friendly bites; as the midday meal, or la comida as it is called in Spain, tends to be the largest meal of the day, evening is the ideal time for lighter bites. La cena, is dinner in Spain which is eaten anytime between 9pm and midnight. It tends to be a bit lighter as it's a later dose of food and can range from some bread and meat to eggs and pastries or churros, which are perfect for those craving sugar. Not only are they fried pastries, but they are served with sugar on top too, perhaps not the best thing to get children ready for bed.
But perhaps the most famous dish of them all, and loved by Spaniards from Costa Del Sol to Valencia and beyond, is tapas. More a Spanish way of eating than a type of food, tapas is a long-standing snacking tradition that began in the southern city of Seville. Today, going out for tapas consists of travelling from bar to bar and sharing plates with your friends.
Best defined as the tradition of enjoying small portions of food, tapas is cheap, comes in many different forms and can vary from region to region. These days you can often even choose from traditional or 'international' tapas. However, one thing's for certain, tapas bars in Spain (and now all over the world) will always be packed with people enjoying the little plates of food in the evening.
If you're in a group, make like the locals and order a 'racion' - approximately the equivalent of four to six tapas and perfect for sharing. The ideal way to sample the best local cuisine without ordering a big meal, raciones are plates of a single item such as cheese and Serrano ham with olives, mini paella portions or grilled lamb chops with a local sauce.
Cheap holiday deals call for light, budget-friendly bites; as the midday meal, or la comida as it is called in Spain, tends to be the largest meal of the day, evening is the ideal time for lighter bites. La cena, is dinner in Spain which is eaten anytime between 9pm and midnight. It tends to be a bit lighter as it's a later dose of food and can range from some bread and meat to eggs and pastries or churros, which are perfect for those craving sugar. Not only are they fried pastries, but they are served with sugar on top too, perhaps not the best thing to get children ready for bed.
But perhaps the most famous dish of them all, and loved by Spaniards from Costa Del Sol to Valencia and beyond, is tapas. More a Spanish way of eating than a type of food, tapas is a long-standing snacking tradition that began in the southern city of Seville. Today, going out for tapas consists of travelling from bar to bar and sharing plates with your friends.
Best defined as the tradition of enjoying small portions of food, tapas is cheap, comes in many different forms and can vary from region to region. These days you can often even choose from traditional or 'international' tapas. However, one thing's for certain, tapas bars in Spain (and now all over the world) will always be packed with people enjoying the little plates of food in the evening.
If you're in a group, make like the locals and order a 'racion' - approximately the equivalent of four to six tapas and perfect for sharing. The ideal way to sample the best local cuisine without ordering a big meal, raciones are plates of a single item such as cheese and Serrano ham with olives, mini paella portions or grilled lamb chops with a local sauce.
About the Author:
Catherine McCulloch is a London-based writer who regularly goes on holiday to Spain. Click here for discount flights and hotels from MyTravel.