Spanish Cuisine: Exploring Food, Restaurants, and Culture in Galicia

The tentacles themselves were very chewy, but the suction cups on the tentacles were crispy after being cooked. I loved the contrast of textures and the taste of the pulpo mixed with the olive oil and salt.  

Some other common Spanish/Galician foods I’ve tried include Spanish tortilla (a Spanish omelette), paella (a traditional rice dish), jamón ibérico (a type of cured ham) and chipirones (squid). 

1. Spanish tortilla is a type of omelet made with potatoes and eggs. It’s my favorite snack to get along with a coffee during recreo, but also a common choice when I’m craving something quick and easy. 
2. Paella is more common in the south of Spain in cities like Valencia, but I tried paella during one of my trips to Santiago de Compostela. Paella is a large serving of rice and various seafoods and is often meant to be shared.
3. Jamón ibérico is a type of salted meat that is a very common tapa (small starter) at restaurants and is commonly eaten with cheese.
4. Chipirones are a squid dish, similar to pulpo, but less chewy and often served with potatoes and peppers.