The Seafood Delicacies Of NW Spain

The Northwest of Spain has to be one of the best places in the world for seafood lovers. The restaurant windows in Santiago are filled with fresh catches from the sea including lobsters, crabs, and fish. However, some unusual and expensive delicacies are also served, including razor clams, and the most unusual and tasty Percebes, or goose barnacles.

Here is part of what writer Bill Cassleman has to say about Percebes:

The percebe is a delicious, edible gooseneck barnacle. Seafood lovers
proclaim the succulent lusciousness of its slippery, slurpable innards make
percebes earth’s best-tasting seafood. This opinion holds sway throughout Spain,
said to consume more seafood per person than any country in the world.

I had the opportunity to sample this dish at the Parador in Santiago while we were staying there. An appetizer plate for one costs $75.00 but they were worth it. To me they have a wonderful subtle flavor all their own, as does escargot!

Jim

PHOTO: The Percebes by Hans Hillewaert (Wiki Commons)

Oviedo: Low Key But Nice

Oviedo doesn't get much of a recommendation in our guide book, but a stroll through the town is revealing. First of all, it's a university city, so there is a lot of youthful excitement to be found particularly in the old quarter, where many of the campus facilities are housed in stone buildings that were constructed centuries ago. We happened upon a festival this week which includes free outdoor concerts in addition to the Zarzuela performance that we will see tonight. Oviedo is nestled in a valley surrounded by tall hills. It features a charming Gothic cathedral that has wonderful stained glass windows. The food here is also very good. Last night we had a seafood dinner that featured delicacies such as razor clams and octopus. The restaurant district near the old town is bustling. Our guide book does not do the town justice. It's a charming city in NW Spain that is well worth at least a short visit!

Jim

PHOTOS: Teatro Campoamor, Cathedral, restaurants on the Calle Gascogna

Dining In Madrid

The current development of Spanish cuisine is quite special. Though the country has long
been known for such favorites as tapas, sangria, paella a la valenciana, flan and many more specialities, in recent years Spanish cocina has rivaled French and Italian in variety, subtlety
and flavors.

On some visits to Madrid in the past we did not have good tips and encountered tourist versions of the paella or worse: tired classics. Thanks to Jim's Internet research, this time, we have already dined at two special restaurants, both in the bustling and thriving gay neighborhood, the Chueca. (Named, BTW, after a famed 19th century zarzuela composer.) At El Armario a light salad with fresh, miniature mozarella balls was followed by a balacao (cod) skewered with vegis, or the albondigas: balls made of white fish and shrimp, drenched in a stock and cream based sauce that tasted delicate and was not heavy.

For dinner at La Divina de la cocina (literally, the Goddess of Cooking) I enjoyed a tender duck served in a sauce with steamed plums, onions and a pear, while Jim had a melt in the mouth dorado fish. The lavish desserts included a velvety, extremely light cheese cake covered with an innovative cardomon sauce, and a banana-chocolate cake. As you can tell, we weren't bothering to count the calories: a twenty-fifth anniversary trip to Spain is a once in a lifetime adventure.

Most amazing of all are the delicious riojas, the red wines (or tintos in Spanish) which can rival any red wines I've ever tasted. They are full of flavors, good perfectly with the food and never feel weighty on the stomach.

We are already looking forward to our next round of exploring the current Spanish cuisine.

Dan

PHOTO: A fantastic plant-covered wall and building restoration near the Atocha Railroad station