Dining in Galicia

Dining in Galicia can be a very satisfying experience. Outstanding seafood, veal and a variety of vegetable dishes are available. Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Argentine, Turkish, Italian, and vegetarian restaurants are found in the major cities.

Some of my favorite regional dishes:

Caldo galego: Vegetable broth made with potatoes, beans, pork meat, sausages and either turnip tops, rapini or cabbage. I love caldo galego.

Empanada: Traditional Galician pie with different fillings including beef, chicken, vegetables, tuna, cod fish, octopus or other seafood. My favorites are empanada de pulpo (with octopus), or empanada de verduras (with vegetables).

Pementos de Padrón: These are tasty (and healthily full of antioxidants) little green peppers, originally grown in Padrón. They are fried and served with cooking salt. Galicians have a saying about their adored little peppers: Algúns pican e outros non, which means that some are hot and some are not, and the problem is you never know which are which, until, of course, you put one into your mouth, and then you have to call the fire department.

Pulpo: Octopus. My favorite way to have pulpo is á feira (in the style of the fairs) served on a wooden plate with olive oil and paprika, or con cachelos (with potatoes) served as before but on a base of boiled potatoes.