When I came to Spain I was ready to dive into the authentic cuisine, even if that meant pushing myself way out of my comfort zone. Little did I know that these five very “American” foods had found their way into the everyday lives of Spaniards…
1. Hot dogs
I hate to admit it, but the hot dogs or “perritos” in Spain are dang good! My host mom makes diagonal slices on the top of the dogs, fries them in olive oil and then places two of them side by side on a toasted bun.
2. Ketchup
The first day I was in Sevilla my host-mom asked me if I wanted ketchup with my chicken. I was so caught off guard! Apparently people love it here. It’s no wonder though, because its much sweeter and sugary. One brand is even marked with an US flag on the label.
3. French fries
Now this was my biggest surprise. We eat French fries or “papas fritas” at my home stay at least 4 times a week. My host-parents buy fresh potatoes from a beach town in Andalusia, Spain, peel them, cut them into thin slices, and fry them in Spanish olive oil. My oh my are they delicious! Frying things in olive oil makes a world of difference.
4. Eggs for lunch
I was so used to eating eggs for breakfast in the United States that eggs for lunch in Sevilla seemed so strange to me a first! Now I get excited when my host mom serves the fried egg with fried potatoes and marinara sauce on top…muy rico!
5. Store bought flan with whipped cream
For some reason I only thought flan was part of Cuban or Mexican cuisine, but when I saw these mini packaged flans in our Sevilla supermarket I was blow away! They are so fun to open: you tear the lid off, flip in over, and then pull a little tab on the bottom that releases air so the custard slips out. Topped with whipped cream or “nata,” this dessert is scrumptious.
I can’t wait to see what other unexpected foods pop up while I’m here in Spain!. When you were in Spain or Europe did any foods surprise you? Happy Saturday!
Love food, love self, love life.
Gabriela
One of my most favorite places for lunch in New York when I was working there just south of Wall Street was an Irish Bar named “Cassidy’s Liquid Assets”. Mike Cassidy had a great Irish style lunch menu with Bangers and Mash, Fried Fish, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and my favorite, a swiss cheese omelet – yes – eggs for lunch.Every once in a while I have an omelet or a frittata for dinner or a midnight snack.
One more item…I usually had lunch with close colleague. He worked for another institution. We also had a Black and Tan with lunch – Guinness Stout with Bass Ale.