People will go from place to place, ordering one or two dishes at each stop during their evening. Some of my favorites have been patatas bravas, which are like fried potatoes with a spicy sauce, and croquetas, which are creamy, fried snacks with ham or chicken inside. One of my favorite sweet treats in Madrid is churros con chocolate, which are fried pastries dipped into very thick, hot chocolate. Sometimes they are eaten in between breakfast and lunch, or as a late-night snack.
Through my university’s program, we were invited to participate in a cooking class to learn not just about Spanish foods but also how to make them at home. I learned how to make a tortilla de patata. We cut raw potatoes and onions, fried them, then mixed them with beaten eggs before cooking them together like an omelet. It is simple but very filling and comforting. Additionally, we made croquetas by combining butter, onion, milk, flour, and jamón (ham), then coating the mixture in egg and frying it until golden. They are delicious because they are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside--the perfect Spanish snack!
When visiting Valencia, I got to try paella, a unique dish of the region. It is a colorful plate of rice in a wide pan. Traditionally, it includes chicken, rabbit, and green beans; seafood versions are popular too, as Valencia is on the coast of Spain. While not specific to Valencia, I was able to try a Tarta de la abuela at a cafe: a layered cake of cookies with chocolate in between. This treat is definitely one of my favorites as it has a strong Nutella flavor with many layers in each bite.
