food from the south of spain

Gazpacho Andalucia in southern Spain is the largest of the country's provinces. It is the vibrant home of the authentic Spain. Its diet is one of the most nutritionally healthy in the world. Andalusian cooking takes its inspiration from the crucible of cultures that together forged its culinary heritage, utilising the fresh ingredients that are produced in this area. Eight hundred years of Moorish rule in southern Spain left a culinary legacy in Andalusia of refined, almost oriental flavors; an opulent use of spices and herbs; oranges and other fruits in savoury dishes; almonds and cinnamon with meat.

Andalusia is the world's largest producer of olive oil and its flavour is the foundation of the region's cooking. Starting at breakfast, when toasted bread is drizzled in virgin oil to eat with morning coffee. This is the land of the olive which can be enjoyed either as an oil or au natural. The manzanilla and gordal varieties are favoured for table olives.

Andalusia's most famous contribution to world gastronomy is said to be gazpacho. gazpacho is an arabian expression and means ‘soaked bread'. Traditionally gazpacho is known as peasant food consisting of bread, olive oil and crushed garlic.

Serrano Ham - The mountainous province of Huelva in western Andalucia is famous for producing cured hams from pigs fed partially or entirely on a diet of acorns.

With nearly 2,000 kilometers of coastline, Spain is renowned for its fresh seafood. Andalusia is famous for its fish and shellfish and a tapa bar is a great place to sample the array. You'll be spoilt for choice as you try to choose from Boquerones - tiny fresh fried anchovies, Calamares - rings of tender squid or Sea Bass cooked entirely in salt. And there are hundreds more. You will be astounded by the selection of shellfish, clams, razorshells, mussels, prawns, giant shrimp, fresh fish and many more.

Choose an area in Spain to read more about its food:

Choose a region for restaurants in Spain:

Wine in spain

Let's not forget the wines! We think they speak for themselves. Visit our Spanish wine pages to find out more about them.

If you know of a typical dish or an excellent wine that we haven't mentioned here please share it with us by sending an e-mail to: info@spanish-living.com