Catalan cuisine

В Испанию едут за лучшей в мире ветчиной и великолепным испанским вином, пестротой улиц Мадрида и архитектурой Барселоны, к музею Сальвадора Дали и средиземноморским пляжам. Но есть и ещё одна причина посетить Испанию и её «каталонскую жемчужину», Барселону – это местная кухня.

Catalan cuisine combines fire and flame, local recipes and High Gastronomic Cuisine, Mediterranean trends and Arab culinary traditions. It is rich in fish and seafood dishes. Especially popular in Barcelona and the whole Catalonia are the famous seafood paella, mussels in white wine, sea devil's soup. Those who like hot spices will love the sauces of Catalan cuisine: "sofito" with tomato, garlic and herbs, "samfaina" with fresh tomatoes and eggplant, "picada" with garlic and fried almonds.

Local restaurants serve Sangria, with fruit crumbled into it and diluted with soda. Catalonia's wines are famous the world over. The Catalans' favorite drink is the Malaga, a strong dessert wine made from dried grapes.

In ancient times, some 600 years ago, Catalan chefs were given the exclusive right to be the first to publish recipes in Romance languages. The renowned chefs of Catalonia participate with equal pleasure in fairs, street tastings and prestigious international competitions. This is why Catalonia is called the "New European Capital of Foodies".