Traditional Catalan Food in Barcelona | Devour Barcelona

Summary

Join Raquel, a tour guide from Barcelona, as she introduces viewers to the rich flavors of traditional Catalan cuisine. From savory grilled pork sausage with beans to the smoky roasted vegetables of escalivada, she walks you through must-try dishes like codfish salad and the iconic pa amb tomàquet. Raquel also highlights the legendary Catalan dessert, crema catalana, sharing its historical roots and unique preparation. Alongside sampling delicious food, she explores the local wine experience and the fun tradition of drinking from a porró. Perfect for food lovers, this video is a flavorful invitation to truly experience Barcelona and Devour Spain!

Takeaways

• 😀 Raquel is a tour guide from Barcelona working with Devour Tours.
• 😀 Spain has many regions, each with its own traditional dishes.
• 😀 Cal Boter in the Gràcia neighborhood is a top spot for traditional Catalan food.
• 😀 'Botifarra amb mongetes' is a grilled pork sausage served with white beans cooked with garlic and parsley.
• 😀 'Escalivada' consists of roasted vegetables cooked over embers, served with olive oil, sea salt, or romesco sauce with toasted nuts.
• 😀 'Esqueixada de bacallà' is a codfish dish cooked with onions and tomatoes.
• 😀 Catalonia has a unique way of eating bread called 'pa amb tomàquet', where tomato is rubbed directly on the bread with olive oil and salt.
• 😀 The traditional Catalan dessert is 'crema catalana', a custard-like dessert served cold, dating back to the 14th century.
• 😀 Wine is traditionally enjoyed from a 'porró', a unique Catalan vessel, though Raquel uses a glass for convenience.
• 😀 Raquel encourages viewers to like the video, subscribe to Devour on YouTube, and experience Barcelona fully by exploring its culinary delights.

Q & A

What is the significance of Cal Boter in Barcelona?

Cal Boter is a traditional family-run restaurant in the Gràcia neighborhood of Barcelona, known for serving classic Catalan dishes that have been enjoyed by locals for generations.

What is 'botifarra amb mongetes'?

'Botifarra amb mongetes' is a traditional Catalan dish consisting of a large grilled pork sausage ('botifarra') served with white beans ('mongetes'), which are cooked with garlic and parsley.

What is 'escalivada' and how is it traditionally prepared?

'Escalivada' is a dish of roasted vegetables, typically including peppers, eggplant, and onions. These vegetables are traditionally cooked over the embers of a fire, peeled, and then served with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. It can also be served with 'romesco' sauce.

What makes 'pa amb tomàquet' unique in Catalonia?

'Pa amb tomàquet' is a traditional Catalan way of eating bread, where a tomato is rubbed directly onto the bread, followed by a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. This method of preparing bread is unique to Catalonia.

What is 'crema catalana' and how is it different from crème brûlée?

'Crema catalana' is a traditional Catalan dessert, similar to crème brûlée, but it is served cold rather than warm. It consists of a custard cream made with different ingredients compared to the French version, and Catalans claim to have invented it in the 14th century.

Why does the speaker prefer using a glass over a 'porró' for drinking wine?

The speaker prefers using a glass because drinking wine from a 'porró'—a traditional Catalan wine pitcher—is difficult, and they don’t want to risk ruining their dress. The 'porró' is a peculiar way of drinking wine in Catalonia, and not everyone is skilled at it.

What is the historical claim regarding the invention of 'crema catalana'?

There is a historical debate where the French claim that crème brûlée is the original dessert and that Catalans copied it. However, Catalans assert that 'crema catalana' was first created in the 14th century, long before the French version.

What type of wine is the speaker drinking in the video?

The speaker is drinking a nice red wine, although they mention they should be drinking it from a traditional 'porró' instead of a glass.

What is 'romesco' sauce and how is it used?

'Romesco' is a traditional Catalan sauce made from ingredients such as toasted nuts. It is often used to complement roasted vegetables like those in 'escalivada,' enhancing the dish with a rich and flavorful taste.

What advice does the speaker give to visitors of Barcelona regarding traditional food?

The speaker encourages visitors to try traditional Catalan food when in Barcelona, recommending specific dishes like 'botifarra amb mongetes,' 'escalivada,' 'pa amb tomàquet,' and 'crema catalana.'