Discover Spanish Through Hispanic cuisine – best dishes in each country
We all know the universal appeal of food. It’s not just sustenance – it is a reflection of culture, tradition, and identity. When learning Spanish, delving into its diverse culinary landscape can be both deliciously rewarding and enlightening, deepening your understanding of the language while broadening your culinary horizons.
Spanish cuisine, with its rich flavours and incredible diversity, offers a unique lens to explore the language. From the coastal regions’ seafood delights to the heartland’s robust meat and vegetable dishes, each Spanish dish tells a story. Understanding these stories can enrich your grasp of Spanish, introducing you to new vocabulary, local expressions, and cultural insights.
Begin your journey with Spain’s iconic dish, paella. Originating from Valencia, paella is a colourful medley of ‘arroz’ (rice), ‘azafrán’ (saffron), ‘verduras’ (vegetables), and an assortment of meats or ‘mariscos’ (seafood). Understanding the intricacies of this dish allows you to navigate various Spanish words and expressions while offering a taste of Spain’s culinary history.
But why stop at understanding? Immersing yourself in Spanish cooking can take your language learning to a new level. Following a Spanish recipe isn’t just a test of your culinary skills but also a practical application of your Spanish reading comprehension. You’ll learn cooking-specific verbs, names of ingredients, measurements, and more. The bonus? A mouthwatering Spanish meal at the end of your lesson.
Beef Tamales Recipe
For a more interactive learning experience, tune in to Spanish cooking shows or explore food blogs. MasterChef España or blogs like Directo al Paladar are rich resources for language learners. They offer real-life context for Spanish usage, including conversational phrases, culinary vocabulary, and even regional accents. Plus, these platforms can teach you popular dishes from various Spanish-speaking regions.
Understanding Spanish food traditions is another delightful aspect of this learning journey. Special dishes prepared for festivals and celebrations open a window into the hearts of Spanish-speaking cultures. Consider ‘tamales’ during Mexico’s ‘Día de la Muertos’ (Day of the Dead), or the sweet ‘turrones’ enjoyed during Spain’s Christmas season. These food traditions not only explain culinary practices but also delve into regional customs, history, and communal celebrations. This added cultural context can deepen your appreciation of the language, fostering a more nuanced and confident Spanish communication.
Master Chef!
Finally, consider joining Spanish cooking classes or local food tours if possible. This will not only give you firsthand experience in the cuisine but also provide opportunities to converse in Spanish, reinforcing your speaking and listening skills.
In summary, embracing the gastronomic journey into Spanish cuisine offers a delightful, engaging, and tasty approach to language learning. So, roll up your sleeves, put on your apron, and get ready to cook up a storm in Spanish. In case you want to practice, find below Comunica’s list of most popular dish per each of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries:
Argentina: Asado – Argentina’s national dish, it is a variety of barbecued meats including beef ribs, sausages, and sometimes other parts like kidneys or chitterlings.
Bolivia: Salteñas – A type of baked empanada filled with a sweet, slightly spicy sauce and meat, usually served as a snack or for breakfast.
Chile: Pastel de Choclo – A sweetcorn casserole filled with meat (usually beef), onions, olives, and sometimes hard-boiled eggs.
Colombia: Bandeja Paisa – A hearty meal consisting of beans, white rice, chicharrón (fried pork belly), carne en polvo (powdered meat), chorizo, fried egg, plantain, avocado, and arepa.
Costa Rica: Casado – A lunch meal with rice, beans, salad, a tortilla, and a choice of meat like chicken, fish, pork, or steak.
Cuba: Ropa Vieja – Shredded beef stew in a tomato-based sauce, served with rice.
Dominican Republic: Sancocho – A heavy stew made with meat (often beef) and a variety of starchy vegetables.
Ecuador: Hornado – Roasted pork, often served with potatoes, llapingachos (a type of potato cake), and pickled red onion and tomato salad.
El Salvador: Pupusas – Thick, handmade tortillas filled with a variety of ingredients such as cheese, beans, and pork.
Equatorial Guinea: Succotash – A dish made with sweet corn, lima beans, and other vegetables, often including pepper and okra.
Guatemala: Pepián – A hearty stew made from roasted spices, meat (usually chicken), and vegetables.
Honduras: Baleadas – Flour tortillas filled with mashed fried beans, cheese, and often additional ingredients like meat or avocado.
Mexico: Tacos – Soft corn tortillas filled with a variety of ingredients, such as grilled meat, fish, cheese, beans, salsa, and avocado.
Nicaragua: Gallo Pinto – A traditional dish of rice and beans, often served with a side of cheese, plantains, or a small piece of meat.
Panama: Sancocho – A traditional chicken soup made with root vegetables and culantro herb.
Paraguay: Sopa Paraguaya – Despite its name, this is a traditional Paraguayan corn flour-based cake often filled with cheese, onions, and sometimes meat.
Peru: Ceviche – Raw fish cured in fresh citrus juices, with sliced onions, chili peppers, and cilantro.
Puerto Rico: Mofongo – Fried green plantains mashed with garlic and pork cracklings, often stuffed with meat or seafood.
Spain: Paella – A famous dish from Valencia made with rice, saffron, vegetables, and a variety of meats or seafood.
Uruguay: Chivito – A traditional sandwich filled with thin slices of steak, mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and sometimes other ingredients like bacon, eggs, or ham.
Venezuela: Arepas – Thick cornmeal patties that are grilled, baked, fried, or boiled, and filled with a variety of ingredients.
