Valencian food
Valencia is known not only because of historical or economic reasons. It is known also very well because of its unique cuisine. There is variety of many different meals that should not be missed by any tourist. As some say being in the place and not to taste its typical food is just like not being there.
Valencia is really well-known for its rice dishes. It is said that 30 percent of whole rice produced in Spain come from the region of Valencia – especially the area of the Albufera Nature Reserve. Probably the most famous rice dish is paella . Paella is cooked in a large pan, called a paellera. Traditionally it should be prepared over a wood fire. Paella can be called is a social dish, which means that it is normally shared amongst at least two people .
Historically the origins of paella come to the 18th-19th century. The word paella comes from Catalan language word which is said to derive from the Old French word "paelle" for pan which in turn comes from the Latin word "patella" for pan, too. It is believed that the very first paellas were cooked and prepared in the surroundings of the Albufera lake .
Originally the most traditional paella consisted of rice, vegetables, rabbit, chicken and snails . However, now sorts of paella evaluated and there are many different types of paella. Two – probably most popular are:
• Paella valenciana - Spanish rice cooked with chicken (and / or rabbit), sweet pepper, tomatoes, green beans, olive oil, saffron, and sometimes artichokes and peas.
• Paella marinera - Spanish rice cooked with mussels, calamares, shrimp, lobster, clams, garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, saffron- plus any other shellfish that the cook feels like throwing in.
The other kinds of paella are also:
• Arroz a banda - rice dish stewed in fish stock, then served separately from the seafood used to give it its distinctive taste.
• Arroz negra - rice dish featuring seasoned squid cooked in its own ink.
• Arroz al horno - baked rice dish with beans, sausage, vegetables and potatoes.
• Arroz con costra - rice dish covered with a baked egg crust .
Fideuá is another well-known dish from Valencia. It is especially popular in the region of La Safor. It is made with noodles and seafood instead of the main rice staple .
It is said that quite popular in Valencia is also gazpacho. It is a cold soup of bread, tomatoes, garlic, salt, vinegar and oil, olla churra, made from pieces of pork and black pudding. What is more it is made with beans and potato, chorizo (which is a spiced pork sausage) and a porridge called gachas . In the regions of Requena-Utiel, Valle de Ayora, Canal de Navarrés, La Costera and Los Serranos there is also served a meal quite similar to gazpacho but cooked over a fire and also made with wheat flour and served like a shepherd"s pie .
As far as drinks and sweets are considered horchata is a popular drink in the region of Valencia. It is made of tigernuts (chufas), water and sugar. Tigernuts grow only in the region of Valencia because of favorable climate and soil conditions. The plant was brought to Spain in the period of Arabs presence in Valencia. Horchata has a milky color, is served cold and is very refreshing during the heat. The drink tastes good with farton – which is a kind of sweet typical for the region. Farton has an oblong shape and can be dipped in the horchata .
Another popular kind of sweet is a nougat, which is called turron and normally has a rectangular or circular shape. It is traditionally consumed during Christmas. There are many types of this very sweet dessert. Turron from Alicante is hard and is prepared from the whole almonds, eggs, honey and sugar. Turron from Jijona is soft and contains crushed almonds and honey . The recipes for turrons have over 500 years. Turron is an example of an Arabic heritage as it was introduced into Spain by the Moors .
Also quite popular drink in Valencia is the agua de Valencia, which is an alcoholic drink. It is made with natural orange juice mixed with cava, which quite similar to champange. Cava is a type of sparkling wine typical from Catalonia .
Obviously there is much more food which is typical for the region of Valencia. Unfortunately mentioning about all of it would be probably impossible. For sure being in Valencia it is worth to spend some time on trying all these magnificent, delicious and tasty products.
