Whenever I’m traveling to a new place, I am always most intrigued to see the different food options they have and browse different restaurants menus ahead of time. Well, in Granada, Spain there are many delicious, traditional meal options that are most widely known in this city and are very popular here. The cuisine of Granada also reflects the city’s diverse cultural influences and traditions. Therefore, one of the first most popular dishes in Granada is the Habas con Jamón, which is a dish of broad beans mixed with pieces of cured ham and can sometimes even be prepared with a fried egg on top of it too for more flavor and protein. This dish was also a way for people to embrace Christianity in Granada in the past, since eating pork was not allowed and not a part of Jewish and Islamic religions/beliefs, which they did not practice here.
After my main course meals, I am always craving a sweet treat afterwards, so in Granada one of the most popular dessert options there are called Piononos. These are small pastries that are made from thin layers of sponge cake and soaked in sweet syrup with cream on top. These treats are also sometimes sprinkled with cinnamon or powdered sugar on top to add more flavors too, so if you’re looking for delicious dessert options in Granada this is a country wide favorite in Spain that I would strongly recommend to people, especially if they are visiting Granada for the first time!
Next, for popular and refreshing beverage options, Granada has a wide selection of different wines and beers that are enjoyed here. Some of these include lager beer, which is one of Spain’s largest produced products, sangria (red wine, sugar, orange juice, and a variety of fruits), and Arab tea. Also, this city is known for its refreshing, popular summer drink, “tinto de verano,” which is a chilled red wine mixed with lemon soda for a sweeter taste to enjoy on warmer days.
To accompany each beverage, Granada has a customary policy to serve complimentary “tapas” with every drink order, which is what this city is most widely known for typically. Tapas are little side dishes/appetizers, such as olives, cheese, potatoes, meatballs, and seafood (shrimp and squid) as a few examples that are popular at many restaurants.
Adding on to seafood options, due to Granada’s proximity to multiple bodies of water, this allows for a variety of diverse seafood dishes to be prepared and served in this city. A popular choice is the “Bacalao a la Plancha,” which consists of grilled codfish seasoned with garlic and olive oil and mixed with potatoes and different kinds of vegetables, such as mushrooms, kale, onions, or tomatoes. This dish includes fresh ingredients and is beautifully prepared, which contributes to the popularity of it among locals and many visitors as well. This is a great option for vegetarians to eat too, which is a great benefit for the people who do not eat meat.
Works Cited:
Carrascosa, Lauren. “What to Eat in Granada.” Spain Traveller, 6 Apr. 2023, www.spain-traveller.com/en/what-to-eat-in-granada/.
Zimmerman, Lindsey. “Top 10 Must-Try Typical Foods in Granada.” Devour Tours, 28 Feb. 2023, devourtours.com/blog/typical-food-in-granada/?cnt=US.