List of tapas

Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or hot (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid). In select bars in Spain, tapas have evolved into an entire, sophisticated cuisine. In Spain, patrons of tapas can order many different tapas and combine them to make a full meal.

History

The word "tapas" is derived from the Spanish verb tapar, "to cover". According to legend, the tapas tradition began when king Alfonso X of Castile recovered from an illness by drinking wine with small dishes between meals. After regaining his health, the king ordered that taverns would not be allowed to serve wine to customers unless it was accompanied by a small snack or "tapa".

Types of Tapas

There are many types of tapas, which vary greatly by region. Some examples include:

• Aceitunas: Olives, sometimes with a filling of anchovies or red bell pepper.
• Albóndigas: Meatballs with sauce.
• Bacalao: Salted cod loin sliced very thinly, usually served with bread and tomatoes.
• Calamares: Rings of battered squid.
• Chopitos: Battered and fried tiny squid.
• Gambas: Prawns sautéed in salsa negra (peppercorn sauce), al ajillo (with garlic), or pil-pil (with chopped chili peppers).
• Patatas Bravas: Fried potato dices (sometimes parboiled and then fried, or simply boiled) served with salsa brava a spicy tomato sauce. Sometimes served also with mayo or aioli.
• Pimientos de Padrón: Small green peppers originally from Padrón (a municipality in the province of A Coruña, Galicia) that are fried in olive oil or served raw, most of them are mild, but a few in each batch are quite spicy.

Serving Tapas

In many bars in Spain, tapas have evolved into a sophisticated cuisine. Patrons may order many different tapas and combine them to make a full meal. In some Central American countries, such snacks are known as bocas. In parts of Mexico, similar dishes are called "botanas".

See Also

• Spanish cuisine
• Alfonso X of Castile
• Aceitunas
• Albóndigas
• Bacalao
• Calamares
• Chopitos
• Gambas
• Patatas Bravas
• Pimientos de Padrón

This is a non-exhaustive food and drink related list.