the appetizer:
Though Spanish cuisine has roots in Roman and Mediterranean cooking, influence from Jewish and Moorish settlers differentiates Spain's cooking from the rest of Europe. Later, Spanish conquistadores brought back numerous foods from the Americas that were then introduced to the rest of Europe, including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and beans.
Spain
Background
Spain is an area of great geographical diversity—green mountains, endless plains, forests, marshlands and the longest coastline of any European country, with beaches on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Spain and Portugal make up Europe's "Iberian peninsula," and Spain is full of exciting gastronomic adventures. Each of the regions has its own distinct flavor and heritage.
Influences
Early settlers to Spain include the Iberians, Greeks, Phoenicians, Celts and Carthaginians. Later, the Romans dominated Spain, contributing all their best qualities, including language. In the 8th Century AD, the Moslems (known as Moors) conquered the nation bringing the Moslem religion and culture with them and ruled until the 13th Century, when the Christians again took dominance.
When Spain dispatched Columbus to America, it soon after reaped the profits and goods from his and others' explorations. The country's Charles V was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1516, ruling over countries from the Philippines to Germany to the New World. The last great foreign influence prior to its tumultuous modern history came in 1808, when Napoleon overran Spain and his brother took the throne.
Spain
- Backgrounder
- Customs & Hospitality
- What toEat
- Menu Guide
- Festivals & Feasts
- Tapas
- The Tomatina (Tomato Fight)
Spanish Cookbooks with Recipes
- Catalan Cuisine by Colman Andrews
- El Farol: Tapas and Spanish Cuisine by James Campbell Caruso
- My Kitchen in Spain by Janet Mendel
- Savoring Spain & Portugal by Joyce Goldstein
- Olive Oil: From Tree to Table by Peggy Knickerbocker
- The Basque Table by Teresa Barrenechea
- The Best of Gourmet Magazine: Flavors of Spain
Tapas by Penelope Casas
Recipes
- Fried Goat Cheese with Onion Confit
Queso de Cabra Frito Sobre Cebolla Confitada - Vegetable and Goat Cheese "Lasagna"
Lasana de Verduritas con Queso de Cabra - Fried Beer-Marinated Chicken Wings with Salsa Brava
Alitas de Pollo Marinadas en Cerveza con Salsa Brava
- Fried Goat Cheese with Onion Confit
More Spanish Tapas Recipes
- Alioli Potatoes
- Bravas Potatoes
- Chicken Croquettes
- Fried Almonds
- Fried Calamares
- Fried Olives
- Red Pepper with Anchovies
- Salt Cod Fritters
- Shrimps with Garlic
- Spanish Orange Tart
- Spanish Tortilla
- White Beans with Vinaigrette Sauce
Back to the main Spain page
Spain on Wikipedia
More country Destinations
This page modified January 2007
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