Okay – let’s talk food

So, for those of you who know me well, it is atypical for me to go this long without talking extensively about food. I do like food!  And, I must say, Spain has this food thing figured out in many respects but it takes a little getting used to

and I have had to spend some time learning my way around the gastronomical aspects of this adventure.

There are “bars” in Spain that open relatively early around 8 am and are open most of the day.  They serve coffee, tea, wine, beer etc and various small plates  For breakfast that is usually savory and/or sweet but they tend to like their croissants and cakes in the morning or the ubiquitous tortilla which is a large frittata type thing makes of eggs and potatoes and maybe another ingredients of which you are served a wedge with bread. The breakfast (an item and beverage) is about $2.50.

Other times of the day the bars serve small sandwiches etc that are pre-made and in cases or open on top of the bar along with other small items skewered with a toothpick.  You choose what you want and pay based on your toothpicks that remain at the end. These are called pinxtos (or tapas or raciones – small distinctions between them) but are each usually 1-1.50 euro. You can just about use euro and dollar interchangeably these days which makes it a great time to travel in Europe.

Restaurants serve lunch and dinner. Lunch is typically between 1-3 and dinner 8:30-11.  At both times of day most restaurants serve either ala carte or the three course meal of the day (or evening).  They include a choice of first course, second course, and dessert and each category has many options. They are one fixed price and usually cost between $10 and $14 depending on whether you are in a tourist area or not. Today in Santillana Del Mar, a beautifully restored midieval town with a large draw for tourists, I had lunch at the #1 restaurant on Trip Advisor. It was amazing! I had a three course lunch of salad, grilled sea bass with clams, and dessert, wine, and bread (wine and bread are included in the price) for $14.00.

Not every day on the Camino is a great food day. Some Albergues are off the beaten path or hours are too restrictive or the daily required mileage is such that a quick bar or grocery stop will have to suffice.  However when time and circumstances permit it can be quite a treat to enjoy a meal here. Table wine and tap beer is excellent, cheap and plentiful.  It is great to get wonderful tea with steamed milk for a euro.

Now, I’m going to post some food pictures that may end up who knows where because as you know “adding media” was something I failed to learn when I was viewing my blog lessons on line!

I need to go – my host in this wonderful little agri-pensione near Santillana del Mar where I am enjoying my day of R&R is preparing dinner for me this evening.  If this morning’s breakfast is any indication, I’m in for a treat.

Tomorrow I transform from tourist back to Pilgrim and am actually very much looking forward to resuming my Camino.  My feet are grateful for the rest, however.