Basque gastronomy

The Basque country has a traditional, simple, and an internationally prized gastronomy.  The Basque diet has basically remained unaltered with the passing of time, always basing itself in products of the ocean and land.  Instead of consisting of many spices or complicated recipes, the gastronomy emphasizes the quality and freshness of the food.

The Basque country is called "el país Vasco" in spanish and "Euskadi" in it's language called "euskera".  An autonomous community in the north of Spain, the Basque country also extends to southern France, but the Basque culture is much stronger on the Spanish side.

Throughout the history of Euskadi, Basque people have thrived in their independence and isolation.  The Romans never romanized the territory much, and the Muslims failed to conquer this northern area.  The land is protected from invasions by it's unique location, stuck between the mountains and the sea.

The fantastic location also has provided the country with an ideal climate for growing a variety of products.  The Cantábrico sea offers a variety of fish and other seafoods.  The interior of the country is full of rivers, forests, trees, and green fields.  Therefore, the gastronomy consists of extremely fresh fruits, vegetables, wines, and wheats.  The open fields make for good animal farms where the Basque people obtain delicious cheeses and meats.

The beans and mushrooms are especially well known for their high quality in this region.  The fish normally includes cod fish and hake.  The Basques are famous for their different types of salsas that go with the fish.  The cheeses are commonly from goats or sheep.

The cider is a whole another story.  The cider is similar to a hard cider.  Outside of San Sebastian, there are many siderías, where you eat and taste ciders.  The cider is held in wooden barrels.  Traditionally, one opens a valve on the barrel and the cider sprays out into your cup so that the cider is foamy.

Some of the best chefs in the world are in país vasco.  Basically, every bar or restaurant you enter will have excellent food.  Most bars lay out their food on the counter and you select what you want to eat.  These small plates of food are called pinchos.

The Basque diet is fresh, healthy, delicious, and has been preserved throughout history.