- Time of past OR future Camino
- Sept/Oct 2023
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Spanish food doesn't tend to be spicy, so you shouldn't worry about that. Even the one in ten Padrón peppers that are spicy aren't that hot.Recommendations welcome (nothing spicy - or warn me about what IS spicy so I know what to avoid!
17 more days for me, but I will start in Pamplona.Does anyone have a picture (s) of a menu from an eatery along the CF? I'd like to get an idea of what the food choices might be ! Recommendations welcome (nothing spicy - or warn me about what IS spicy so I know what to avoid!
Only 18 sleeps until I leave for Espana!
Buen Camino todos!
This was also my favorite Camino meal!huevos y papas fritas
Surprised that I found this to be a favorite menu de dia choice for me.
I would not have normally choose that for a meal other than the camino.
This can't be said enough!Let there be surprises and unexpected adventures.
It is the prepared frozen dish served at way too many places in Spain, advertised at the entrance of the restaurant with nifty photos, similar from place to place, with other dishes being offered but not at all authentic in the least. If you haven't been duped, then you are duped.Please explain “phony paella adverts”
Only phony in the sense that the paella is all premade, and not "authentic" paella freshly cooked at the restaurant. The vegetable paella can be a good choice for vegetarians and vegans though. According to this article by @Wendy Werneth it has no animal products in it.Please explain “phony paella adverts”
I would recommend to any pescatarian to do the Norte the next chance you get. You will be by the sea and have plenty of fresh seafood to choose from. Lots of ups and downs, lots of wonderful scenery and lots of fun even (for me anyway) as I would curse a long uphill only to get to the top and find another one waiting. But all worth it.Here are two photos from the last two weeks. Actually getting to a restaurant at a time when they serve these menus has proven challenging… But you can often get lots of delicious things well beyond the menú del día, or menú peregrino. Learn to love bananas, croissants, particularly tortilla, and bread. I’m a pescatarian and have had zero trouble finding lots of fruits, veggies, and lovely grilled fish. I don’t enjoy pasta and have managed to avoid it all but one night (Grañon.) I’ve been served tremendous dishes prepared by my various hosts. And every one of those had been an unplanned surprise!
My suggestion is: Plan to be surprised, plan to enjoy local cuisine, and plan to just go with it… You’ll figure it out when you get here. And Google Translate can help.
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If my memory serves me correctly the Portuguese people is even more in love with papas fritas than even the Spaniards.
We don't eat papas fritas, but we do love batatas fritasIf my memory serves me correctly the Portuguese people is even more in love with papas fritas than even the Spaniards.
You know what? Whatever you call it I love Portugal and I think the people are the warmest, friendliest and generous people of all the countries I have visited. I have visited alot of countries.We don't eat papas fritas, but we do love batatas fritas
I'am a chef but I said to myself before I left, don't be a food critic on this trip. Some meals were so so and some were better than expected. I sort of enjoyed each day to see what would be available for me to eat. With a beer or glass of wine and fellow pilgrims it always tasted good.This can't be said enough!
Oh come on, they aren't THAT bad (although healthy they usually are not) and there's usually at least ice cream for postre choice although I get a piece of fruit if that's on offer instead.I've always translated that as the Menu del Dia is what the day deserves; and the Menu Peregrino is especially designed to take the Pilgrim to the next level of penitence....
An average 34 days of Menu Peregrino between Roncesvalles and Santiago and the average Pilgrim has indeed already done Purgatory
I’m willing to agree that the average MP isn’t “THAT” bad- though to achieve an average we have to agree that some are simply disgusting. That said I am simply not prepared to walk through a country which, with the possible exceptions of Greece and Sicily, has the most complex and embrasive cuisines in Europe and eat two simple and one complex carbohydrates supplemented with a thin sheet of Lomo or the thigh of a Pollo beaten to translucence and then fried until it would serve for emergency shoe repair. Oh, sorry, I forgot the sliver of picked red pepper that may, possibly, contain an elemental trace of a vitamin. Ensalada Mixta? Well, at least you are taking on some fluid and a bit of fibre.Oh come on, they aren't THAT bad (although healthy they usually are not) and there's usually at least ice cream for postre choice although I get a piece of fruit if that's on offer instead.
The difference being--the Menu del Dia is what the locals like, and eat for an inexpensive main meal. It seems the MP is what they think foreign visitors on a low budget will prefer.Yup, that’s what I said. The Menu del Dia will take you into a deep dive into an amazing cuisine (without a deep dive into your wallet). The MP will leave you safe, secure and disappointed
I did not need to do this (I speak Spanish) but you CAN use Google translate to help you with menus. If you have an android phone it is even easier but I only know what to do with an iPhone. Take a picture of the menu. Go to Google translate and click on images and then upload file and choose your photo from your camera library. Sometimes there will be a really strange “Google translate fail” but it usually works well enough. Also you can put the app Word Reference on your phone and look up individual words as needed. ¡Buen Camino!Oh wow! thanks so much! The reason I made this post was so I can begin to translate the menus. I'm taking 3hrs of Spanish language a day, but the instructors have neglected to include actual menus. Go figure!
Make sure to download the Spanish language pack on Google Translate so that you can also use it offline.I did not need to do this (I speak Spanish) but you CAN use Google translate to help you with menus. If you have an android phone it is even easier but I only know what to do with an iPhone. Take a picture of the menu. Go to Google translate and click on images and then upload file and choose your photo from your camera library. Sometimes there will be a really strange “Google translate fail” but it usually works well enough. Also you can put the app Word Reference on your phone and look up individual words as needed. ¡Buen Camino!
Thanks for the replies. Now I rennet the signs.While the "phony" (industrial pre made and frozen) Paella might not taste as good as a real Paella, it might be a valid choice for a meal in itself and can be quite OK in terms of taste. All depends on the alternatives.
I am certainly not impugning the quality of the paella pictured (and I would call it a paella) but the Valencian purists I know who toss around phrases like "real paella" and "arroz con cosas" would consider any rice dish with mariscos to be arroz con cosas.I definitely had a good paella at Albergue La Morena in Lédigos along the Camino Francés (after Carrión de los Condes). It was a real paella and not just an “arroz con cosas,” and was done al dente as it should be.
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I definitely had a good paella at Albergue La Morena in Lédigos along the Camino Francés (after Carrión de los Condes). It was a real paella and not just an “arroz con cosas,” and was done al dente as it should be.
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I was in Atapuerca a couple days ago and desperately wanted to eat at Comosapiens, but someone who had tagged onto our group said it was too expensive. We tried to go back, but they were closing. I was so sad eating awful pizza in another establishment.Doesn’t anyone have a photo of the menu at Comosapiens or La Curiosa? I’d walk across northern Spain with a rucksack on my back just to eat in either
I really wanted to eat there on my first Camino in 2016, but couldn't find anyone to join me. If it were now I'd just go alone.I was in Atapuerca a couple days ago and desperately wanted to eat at Comosapiens, but someone who had tagged onto our group said it was too expensive. We tried to go back, but they were closing. I was so sad eating awful pizza in another establishment.
Now I’m even more sad…
I think we all realized too late that one person probably shouldn’t be able to veto what 3 other people want to do. I guess that’s a camino lesson? Missing out on an experience you want because you’re a lifetime people-pleaser?I really wanted to eat there on my first Camino in 2016, but couldn't find anyone to join me. If it were now I'd just go alone.
I really wanted to eat there on my first Camino in 2016, but couldn't find anyone to join me. If it were now I'd just go alone.
Second one seems a little better, but those signs would mostly induce me to walk on by -- but in case of need, sure, the chicken lunch in the second example could be fine, though whether the vino is a copa or a jarra would be make or break, particularly in the event of a nearby supermercado.
I had it once last year from no other choice.Please explain “phony paella adverts”
There are still a few places that sell a pilgrim menu that's pretty much the menú del día plus some arbitrary quantity in Euros, or smaller amount of food etc, though thankfully they're tending towards going away.Beware there is a huge difference between Menu del Dia and a Pilgrim Menu, both quality wise and price wise.
That's really not bad for Galicia, but those sorts of "short" menus still left me longing for Portugal or Castilia.Ok, leg of lamb, ensalada with Galicia cheese, beef cheeks, 2 menu boards, pulpo and beer, home-made yogurt with walnuts and honey, another great salad, and a first dish of razor clams. All these were lunchtime menus in Galicia on the Camino this summer. Admittedly some were menu del dia quality, but all served right along the Camino in Galicia. All reasonably priced with wine and water included. I think one issue is that some pilgrims want something familiar and may go with the boring pilgrim fare because they don't want to take a risk on lamb, beef cheeks, View attachment 155634View attachment 155636View attachment 155637View attachment 155638View attachment 155639
Sorry, but that sort of thing makes me *directly* ill -- not a comment about quality or anything, I'm sure the food is lovely (and I've cooked similar for vegans myself, minus any fake meat and so on), but I'm afraid it just isn't good for non-vegans indiscriminately.I recommend Sarasate in Pamplona, even for non-vegans. Food is delicious!! I had squash “meatballs” yummmmmm
My Spanish is quite functional, but menus have a language of their own and always give me difficulty. Think of English menus that use various terms to add verbal zest to the choices, and there are regional differences in names for foods. At least I am able to ask what a menu item really means - I don't always understand the answer, but can get some clues!I'm taking 3hrs of Spanish language a day, but the instructors have neglected to include actual menus. Go figure!
So, a “traditional country pub” advertising “local” game in its “Summer” menu reacted with puzzlement when I asked if it was illegally shot or locally frozen.
When Betty in the Newport at Braishfield, sadly both long gone, was asked what was in the stew she hesitated before replying “most things really”.
If you want to eat well in Spain eat where and when the local population does. If you just want sufficient, absorbable, calories to get you through another days hiking you’ll find yourself well catered on that 0.5km strip that is the road to glory
It really is not too expensive—it is more than a menú del día but and the food is marvelous. it was 20€ for their menú. It will have to be a reason to go back and do another Camino.I was in Atapuerca a couple days ago and desperately wanted to eat at Comosapiens, but someone who had tagged onto our group said it was too expensive. We tried to go back, but they were closing. I was so sad eating awful pizza in another establishment.
Now I’m even more sad…
Thanks @Tincatinker
It was 35€ this past weekend - but still looked like it would’ve been well worth it! We walked through cold wind and rain and the thought of hot tomato basil soup was so inviting! And I agree, not too much - though I understand some pilgrims have a far tighter budget than others. I know I’m quite fortunate in that regard.It really is not too expensive—it is more than a menú del día but and the food is marvelous. it was 20€ for their menú. It will have to be a reason to go back and do another Camino.I know the feeling about missing out on a special restaurant and eating awful pizza instead, that happened to me a bit later on my journey.
I remember a character from Terry Pratchetts Discworld series that roamed the streets selling sausages in a bun with lots of "animal" inside. It was never exactly specified what animal and what parts...So, a “traditional country pub” advertising “local” game in its “Summer” menu reacted with puzzlement when I asked if it was illegally shot or locally frozen.
When Betty in the Newport at Braishfield, sadly both long gone, was asked what was in the stew she hesitated before replying “most things really”.
If you want to eat well in Spain eat where and when the local population does. If you just want sufficient, absorbable, calories to get you through another days hiking you’ll find yourself well catered on that 0.5km strip that is the road to glory
HiDoes anyone have a picture (s) of a menu from an eatery along the CF? I'd like to get an idea of what the food choices might be ! Recommendations welcome (nothing spicy - or warn me about what IS spicy so I know what to avoid!
Only 18 sleeps until I leave for Espana!
Buen Camino todos!
I'm sure that you will be understood, but it's donde está.'donde es el supermercado por favor?'
I'm sure that you will be understood, but it's donde está.
Ah! thank you for correcting me.I'm sure that you will be understood, but it's donde está.
Can't eat that stuff either.It really is not too expensive—it is more than a menú del día but and the food is marvelous. it was 20€ for their menú. It will have to be a reason to go back and do another Camino.I know the feeling about missing out on a special restaurant and eating awful pizza instead, that happened to me a bit later on my journey.
Also ¿ Donde esta bien para comer ?¿Qué es bueno para comer? can come in useful too
That would be CMOT (Cut Me Own Throat) Dibbler, so called because he says his prices are so low he is "cutting his own throat". I happen to have the tee shirt.I remember a character from Terry Pratchetts Discworld series that roamed the streets selling sausages in a bun with lots of "animal" inside. It was never exactly specified what animal and what parts...
Wow that's a lot of learning of Spanish! Well done you! Thank you for your question as it's very good to get a feel for these things before we hit the ground. I tend to be a picky eater and may be challenged (positively) along the Way. I've been learning through Duolingo and surprised at what I can read already.Oh wow! thanks so much! The reason I made this post was so I can begin to translate the menus. I'm taking 3hrs of Spanish language a day, but the instructors have neglected to include actual menus. Go figure!
Nothing specific but check out YouTube!Wow that's a lot of learning of Spanish! Well done you! Thank you for your question as it's very good to get a feel for these things before we hit the ground. I tend to be a picky eater and may be challenged (positively) along the Way. I've been learning through Duolingo and surprised at what I can read already.
Speaking of learning Spanish, do you know where I can find recordings of very simple spoken Spanish conversations? (sorry don't mean to digress from your main conversation).
Wow that's a lot of learning of Spanish! Well done you! Thank you for your question as it's very good to get a feel for these things before we hit the ground. I tend to be a picky eater and may be challenged (positively) along the Way. I've been learning through Duolingo and surprised at what I can read already.
Speaking of learning Spanish, do you know where I can find recordings of very simple spoken Spanish conversations? (sorry don't mean to digress from your main conversation).
Judging from the (small-ish) photo, not a Paella. The pan is to deep, the moisture content to high. Looks to me like what they called "Arroz Meloso con Bogavante" in Fisterra, not sure if thats a universal term or if they call it something else elsewhere.A photo of Paella from a restaurant in Cascais
This is hilarious
Paella is defined by recipe, not volume.Judging from the (small-ish) photo, not a Paella.
I was saying the foto was small, hence difficult to tell exactly. And while it should be true that it is defined by recipe, it will most definitely not be a paella if it is made in a large batch and served in portions. (There will be occasions where you buy a "racion de paella" but if you order a "paella" you should get a dish that has been cooked in the pan in which it is served)Paella is defined by recipe, not volume.
And I'm sure that many places cook it in large volumes, then serve it in smaller ones.
Nope. Not so. Never. For a start Paella is indeed the name of the cooking vessel not the dish. Even in Valencia the dish is cooked in huge paella and served in portions. A table of 10 might get the pan plonked in front of them and then be left to fend for themselves. A table of two will get portions on a plate. In the rougher and readier places you might just get the plate. You walk up to the fire and nod. And nod again when your wrist starts feeling the strain.I was saying the foto was small, hence difficult to tell exactly. And while it should be true that it is defined by recipe, it will most definitely not be a paella if it is made in a large batch and served in portions. (There will be occasions where you buy a "racion de paella" but if you order a "paella" you should get a dish that has been cooked in the pan in which it is served)
This I most certainly do not agree with.it will most definitely not be a paella if it is made in a large batch and served in portions
Most paellas are frozen bags with a few shrimp etc. thrown on top to look good.It was a disappointment to learn that, so I don't order them any more, at least as pilgrim fare.A paella for one? I’ve been in Benalmadena. I’ve heard the laughter
O ly 1 week to go! Spanish food is not Mexican food. The Spanish think of papas bravas as spicy, in my estimation it is about as mild as fry sauce! Depending on where you start, paella will be common or pulpo. I try as often as possible to eat as a communal meal. Cheap eats but nice to meet other pilgrims, especially over a couple of bottles of “new” wine.Does anyone have a picture (s) of a menu from an eatery along the CF? I'd like to get an idea of what the food choices might be ! Recommendations welcome (nothing spicy - or warn me about what IS spicy so I know what to avoid!
Only 18 sleeps until I leave for Espana!
Buen Camino todos!
Relax, enjoy, try new thing things, let spontaneity be your guide.Does anyone have a picture (s) of a menu from an eatery along the CF? I'd like to get an idea of what the food choices might be ! Recommendations welcome (nothing spicy - or warn me about what IS spicy so I know what to avoid!
Only 18 sleeps until I leave for Espana!
Buen Camino todos!
if you sit down in a restaurant, order a paella, get a paella pan and get a dish that was not cooked in said pan, you did not get a paella. Period.
O ly 1 week to go! Spanish food is not Mexican food. The Spanish think of papas bravas as spicy, in my estimation it is about as mild as fry sauce! Depending on where you start, paella will be common or pulpo. I try as often as possible to eat as a communal meal. Cheap eats but nice to meet other pilgrims, especially over a couple of bottles of “new” wine.
Perhaps we should move on to less controversial topics? Such as whether tortilla should contain onions or not....I'm starting to wonder if the paella arguments are bordering on breaking the rule against religious discussions.
I will always wondering if the paella on the Caminos in Spain are ever fully authentic, made from scratch.I'm starting to wonder if the paella arguments are bordering on breaking the rule against religious discussions.
I have said more than once on this Forum that I am a foodie. There are at least 100 restaurants on or near the CF that would qualify as world class eateries. Why on earth would anyone walk the Camino and try to do their dining on a budget?
The first time I saw that I was fairly surprised. How can a paella be vegan or vegetarian?Only phony in the sense that the paella is all premade, and not "authentic" paella freshly cooked at the restaurant. The vegetable paella can be a good choice for vegetarians and vegans though. According to this article by @Wendy Werneth it has no animal products in it.
Which Camino ?I will always wondering if the paella on the Caminos in Spain are ever fully authentic, made from scratch.
Basic paella is method + rice + olive oil + typical (vegetable) spices + other ingredients.The first time I saw that I was fairly surprised. How can a paella be vegan or vegetarian?
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