Guide to Spanish Tapas

TOP TEN SPANISH TAPAS YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MISS!!!

If you come to Spain and do not try these tapas, you are worthless and should jump off of the nearest bridge. USEFUL SPANISH!: suicidarse = to commit suicide

NOTE: Whenever I use the word “spicey” below, note that it will probably not taste spicey at all to an American (used to Mexican food). Spanish food is based on salt, garlic, and the flavor of the food itself. It is not a culture of sauces or hot spices. That said…numbers 3 and 4 below will offer a bit more punch for spice lovers…though perhaps more “zesty” than hot…

Anyway, without further adieu, here’s our Top Ten:

1. Tortilla Española AKA Tortilla de Patata– Spanish Omelet AKA Potato Omelet

This quintessential Spanish tapa can get a bit political–just call it a potato omelet in regions wanting more independence from Spain. This delicious item can be ordered as a full pizza-sized meal, on a sandwich, or as a snack. Be advised that Spanish Tortillas HAVE NOTHING TO DO with Mexican tortillas; they are thick omelets made of eggs, potatoes, and a limitless variation of meats and vegetables. When they´re bad, they´re terrible. When they´re good, welcome to heaven.

HOW TO ORDER A SMALL SPANISH TORTILLA SNACK (Get a snack to see if you like it. Ordering a full tapa or half tapa ration would be like ordering a full or half pizza): ¨Ponme un pincho de tortilla, por favor.¨ = Hook me up with a slice of that fine lookin´ Spanish Omelet please.

2. Gambas al Ajillo – Garlic Shrimp

Who busted out the garlic? Damn! Though this baby could stop a vampire dead in his tracks–don´t worry– most Spaniards are immune to ¨garlic breath.¨ Though this sizzling, smoking hot plate of garlic and shrimp will make your taste buds explode, just try not to flinch when your attractive Spanish date leands over and heavily whisper into your face: ¨So chou like tha shrrreemp?¨

3. Pulpo a la gallega – Galician Octopus

Octupus anyone? This boiled Galician specialty is smothered in olive oil, salt, and paprika. Just try not to spit on your date when saying: “Pass me the octoPus Please.”

4. Patatas Bravas – Bravas Potatoes

This a a favorite for French Fry lovers. These friend potato treats are covered in a spicy red sauce. As most Spanish food is flavourful though not spicey, spice-lovers will certainly love this popular tapa for reminding their tastebuds who’ se boss.

5. Pimientos de Padrón – Godfather Peppers

Pimientos de Padrón is an infamous dish of impish green peppers often heralded as a House Specialty in many Madrilian tapas bars. Simultaneously salty and sweet, these little devils go down farily easy as you pick them off one by one–but beware: tucked beneath a seemingly innocous mound of peppers always lurks just a nuclear ones that´s are so spicey you´ll be yelling for “agua.” In fact, most of the the fun of ordering Pimientos de Padrón is just waiting to see who´se gonna ¨get it¨ next!

6. Patatas Ali Oli – Potatos in garlic sauce

If you haven´t picked up on the fact that Spanish food is all about the garlic, this one will definitely bring it home. Patatas Ali Oli is a oozing mound of potatos smothered in a sauce of mayonaise and garlic. These soft, lightly fried potatoes shows what happens when French fries aspire to be potato salad. Make sure to have a breathe mint handy.

7. Morcilla – Black Pudding

Though not the most Kosher or Halal of Spanish tapas, this Spanish treat will have you screaming for blood–pig´s blood that is. Though Morcilla–a coagulation of pig´s blood and rice offered in sausage strips–may not sound very appetizing, take MAP´s word for it, it´s not only delicious but addictive. Be sure to spread it on some bread first to help knock down the strong flavor.

Jamon – Ham (to many kinds, see our ham guide)

The Reconquest of Spain by Christians in the 15th century resulted in the booting of Jews and Muslims from the country. Those left behind had to face the Spanish Inquisition to profress conversion to Christianity…or else. One test of faith was the consumption of pork, banned by Jewish & Islamic law. Therefore, if you wanted to proove you were just another good old Christian on the block (this avoiding torture and/or execution), you better be seen eating some ham. Thus, ham consumption jumped through the roof and it is now the staple of Spanish cuisine. The Spanish have about as many words for ham as Eskimos have for snow, so you better just check out the MAP HAM GUIDE.

9) Manchego cheese – Sheep´s cheese from La Mancha region of Spain

This is Spain´s most famous cheese. Need I say more?

10) Calamares – Fried Squid

Splash them with lemon juice and you are ready to rock! While the tapas form offers them piled on a plate, you can also get them on bocadillos (baguette sandwiches). The best place to get bocadillos de calamares in Madrid is near the plaza mayor or the Atocha train station. Insider recommendations and address coming soon…

Other highly recommended Spanish tapas:

Sepia a la plancha – grilled squid

Ensaladilla Rusia – Russian salad

WE ARE CURRENTLY UPDATING THIS PAGE. MUCH MORE INFO WILL BE PROVIDED SOON!