Date of publication 09/12/2022
Mediterranean cuisine Welcome to gourmet Andalusia
Southern Spanish delicacies that are renowned worldwide
Located in southern Spain, Andalusia is a culinary feast that delights the senses and conquers palates around the world. This region, bathed in sunshine and caressed by the breezes of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, is known not only for its rich history and vibrant culture, but also for its irresistible delicacies that have gained international renown.
Food in Andalusia is a mosaic of flavours that fuses tradition with innovation, creating a unique experience with every bite. From the cobbled streets of Seville to the white villages of Cadiz, Andalusia displays a range of flavours and smells that reflect the diversity of its landscape and its people's passion for good food.
Andalusia is olive oil, fried fish, and Jabugo ham. But it is also life on the streets, in restaurants, and beachside shacks, where people gather to enjoy the local delicacies. Iberostar hotels in Andalusia are no exception; their restaurants are meeting places where they offer local dishes that delight customers. Would you like to try the best of Andalusia's cuisine?
Probably the best ham in the world
The key word is Jabugo, a small village in Sierra de Aracena, in the province of Huelva, with a population of one-thousand. The Iberian pigs, raised in freedom and fed with acorns, offer what is probably the best ham in the world. Its intense flavor makes it incomparable to all the rest.
Would you like to follow the creation process of this real delicatessen? From October to February, you can’t miss la montanera, the period in which these Iberian pigs roam around the meadows. Oaks and cork trees provide them with acorns, the fundamental ingredient for the creation of Iberian ham.
Oil: liquid gold
Did you know that Andalusia is the region that produces the most olive oil in the world? The quality of extra virgin olive oil is undoubtable, especially to make Andalusian gazpacho, Cordobese salmorejo or the Antequera porra. Moreover, it is a key ingredient in sauces, mayonnaise and allioli, and a perfect ally for salads, tomato or a simple slice of bread.
Andalusian olive oil is fried fish or pescaíto frito’s big secret but is also key to tortillitas de camarones (prawn fritters), fried vegetables and adobos, which are so common in this area. It is also used in the delicious rehogados, guisos and pucheros, three stew-type dishes which are cooked with lots of love, cooked on low heat to keep all the healthy properties of olive oil intact.
Fruity, sweet, sour or spicy. With the different hues in flavor, color and properties according to the variety. The universe of olive oil in Andalusia is more than an ingredient, but a devotion.
TREATS FROM THE SEA
And what about Andalusia's seafood? The intense flavours of its seafood also play a prominent role in Andalusian cuisine. From the white prawns of Huelva to the red almadraba tuna of Cádiz, every mouthful is an ode to freshness and quality. And the terraces by the sea offer the perfect setting for enjoying paella with friends or savouring grilled sardine skewers, emblematic dishes that transport diners to the very essence of the Mediterranean.
To enjoy these delicacies with all the comforts, don't hesitate to stay at Iberostar Waves Royal Andalus, a 5-star family hotel on the seafront in Chicana, Cadiz. In its Manolete restaurant, you can savour red tuna, as well as other delicacies typical of this land, such as coquinas (clams) or almejas a la chiclanera (clams in Chicana style) or tortillita de camarones (shrimp omelette).
Andalusian wine routes
Andalusia has a thousand-year-old tradition when it comes to grapevine growing and in the creation of world-famous wines such as Jerez or Manzanilla. The geology and climate in Southern Spain are excellent to create these high-quality yet varied products.
Wine routes around Andalusia have an enological, cultural and traditional element to them when visiting its different areas.
The Huelva county Wine Route, for example, will allow you to discover the medieval city and the Niebla castle as well as its wineries; Moguer, the place where Literature Nobel prize-winner Juan Ramón Jiménez was born, and the natural paradise of Doñana.
The Montilla-Moriles Wine Route allows you to visit winepresses in the Montilla mountain, surrounded by vineyards, where you will be able to taste the wines right next to the preservation casks.
On the other hand, the Jerez Wine and Brandy route traces a tour around wineries and restaurants located in villages such as Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María or Chiclana de la Frontera.
It is precisely in Chiclana de la Frontera, next to the Barrosa beach, where we find Iberostar Selection Andalucía Playa, a 5-star hotel in Novo Sancti Petri. In Cataria restaurant, with the renowned chef Aitor Arregi in charge, you will be able to taste the best of national and Andalusian cuisine.
Malaga, a sky full of Michelin stars
If you love high-dining and are thinking about visiting Malaga, you are in luck. This Andalusian province hosts eight Michelin-star restaurants: Jose Carlos García, El Lago, Kabuki Raw, BiBo de Dani García, Skina, Sollo, Bardal and Messina.
Very close to these restaurants, you will find the best hotels in Malaga, known as the jewel of the Costa del Sol: Iberostar Marbella Coral Beach and Iberostar Waves Málaga Playa. In both, you can savor Jabugo ham (with its unique texture and flavor), artisanal cheeses, and wines from the region, elevating your beachfront stay to an unparalleled culinary experience.
As we have seen, in every corner of Andalusia, cuisine is more than just a necessity; it is an expression of identity, a celebration of life, and a bridge between generations. Andalusia's cuisine is much more than just food; it is an invitation to immerse yourself in the culinary richness of this land, where every flavor tells a story that lingers on the palate and in the heart. Are you up for it?
MAKE IT REAL