Hojaldres de Astorga is a traditional pastry originating from the town of Astorga, hence the name. In order to prepare this snack, puff pastry sheet is cut into rectangles with holes cut in the center. The pastry is baked in the oven for about 10 minutes and it's then dipped in hot syrup.
The syrup usually consists of water, sugar, honey, and lemon juice. Hojaldres de Astorga pastries are often served for breakfast or as an afternoon snack eaten alongside tea or coffee.
Ponche Segoviano is a traditional cake originating from Segovia. This layer cake looks like a big rectangle of custard and marzipan that are topped with caramelized sugar which is decorated with a criss-cross design. The recipe of the original cake is a patent-protected secret, but it's probably made with a combination of eggs, sugar, milk, flour, lemon peel, cinnamon, and almonds.
The cake was invented in 1926 by a confectioner named Frutos García Martín at the El Alcázar cafe. It soon became popular in the town, and King Alfonso XIII (who loved the ponche) told the inventor to take the cake to the Universal Exhibition in Barcelona, where it won the gold medal in 1929.
MOST ICONIC Ponche Segoviano
Mantecadas de Astorga is a cake traditionally made in the province of León. It was invented by the pastry chef Juan de la Mata in the 18th century. This sweet cake is made by whisking plain flour, eggs, butter, lard, and sugar, then baking the concoction in the square-shaped, kraft-type paper mold.
Mantecadas de Astorga is very sweet and mild in flavor, dominated only by the aromas of butter and eggs. These small cakes usually weigh between 25 to 30 grams and are 5 cm long in diameter. This traditional recipe has been an inspiration for many modern versions, many of which use olive oil in place of butter and are enriched with subtle aromas of vanilla or spices.
Hornazo is a traditional delicacy made by stuffing bread with pork loin, hard-boiled eggs, and chorizo. The bread is made with flour and yeast, and the top is usually nicely decorated with various shapes made from the same dough. It has origins in Salamanca, and it is often prepared for Lunes de Aguas festival, celebrated annually on Easter Monday.
Nowadays, there are many variations on this festive bread, so it can be stuffed with anything from ham and cheese to tuna and smoked salmon.
Patatas a la importancia is a traditional dish originating from Castile. The dish is made with potato slices that are fried in a batter of flour and eggs. The potatoes are fried, arranged on a platter or a plate, then topped with a sauce that usually consists of onions, carrots, flour, olive oil, salt, and white wine or dry sherry (salsa española), or a combination of garlic, parsley, almonds, and white wine known as majao.
Patatas a la importancia are traditionally served as an appetizer.
These small orange balls in white confectionery paper are made with egg yolks, sugar, and lemon zest. The rich and creamy dessert is a specialty of Ávila, where it’s traditionally prepared on October 15th, the feast day of St. Theresa, but yemas can also be bought any other day of the year as an edible souvenir.
MOST ICONIC Yemas de Santa Teresa
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Cochinillo is a Spanish dish consisting of a roasted suckling pig with succulent meat, tender and crispy skin, and a very thin layer of fat. The meat is so tender that it practically falls apart when cooked properly. The dish is served throughout Spain, and it is especially popular in the region of Castilla.
The pigs should not be heavier than five kilograms nor older than three weeks, and they are traditionally roasted in large, open-faced brick ovens. One suckling pig can easily feed a party of four, and it is usually ordered in restaurants for birthdays and similar festive events.
MOST ICONIC Cochinillo
View moreTorreznos are traditional Spanish tapas consisting of pork belly that's marinated, dried, cut into strips, then fried in olive oil. The result is a deliciously crunchy appetizer that's served in numerous tapa bars across the country.
Torreznos are the most typical in Soria, in the region of Castilla-León. Although the preparation of torreznos might seem simple, it has its tricks – the bacon needs to be at room temperature, while the slices should be 1,5 to 2 centimeters wide.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Tapas
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