10 TASTY COLD TAPAS THAT ARE PERFECT TO EAT IN SUMMER
During Spain’s hot summer months, people look for many ways to stay cool. And this also holds true for cooking. Why use the stove top or oven when there are so many delicious cold tapas to try?
Here are 10 ideal dishes to beat the Spanish summer heat!
1. Gazpacho
Gazpacho is cool, refreshing, and just the thing you crave when the temps rise. This cold soup gets its color from the tomatoes inside. However, there’s quite a mix of veggies in it, like bell peppers, cucumbers, and onions. You can drink gazpacho from a glass, or with a spoon from a bowl like soup. Crisp and delicious, it’s one of the most popular cold tapas in Spain during summer.
2. Boquerones en Vinagre
Anchovies in vinegar are another no-heat dish, marinated in vinegar and oil, then seasoned with garlic and parsley. It’s a tapas bar classic in the summertime, especially at beach bars, or chiringuitos. Boquerones match fantastically with an ice-cold beer, which cuts the vinegar acidity.
READ MORE: All About Spanish Tomato Bread and How to Best Enjoy It
3. Ensaladilla Rusa
Ensaladilla rusa is Spain’s take on potato salad. Peas, carrots, potatoes, and onions are mixed with hard-boiled eggs and tuna, then tossed in mayo and seasonings. It’s a delicious dish to share and available at any tapas bar. Most Spanish people eat ensaladilla rusa with picos, crunchy, small breadsticks. So, no need for utensils!
4. Salpicón de Mariscos
If you love seafood, salpicón de mariscos is THE summer dish for you. Fresh bell peppers, onions, and cucumbers are tossed with mussels, shrimp, and octopus, and then marinated in vinegar, oil, and spices. This is one of the most popular cold tapas in the summer since it’s so fresh and light, but still filling and satisfying.
5. Tomate Aliñado
A simple, light, cold dish in the summer is tomate aliñado, or dressed tomato salad. You cut up ripe, juicy tomatoes and garnish them with minced garlic, oregano, and sea salt. Then, drizzle with vinegar and olive oil. You’ll love this cold tapa when the heat makes you crave something cold and yummy.
6. Patatas Aioli
Patatas aioli are creamy, rich, and slightly indulgent, but oh-so-good. Garlic aioli is the right savory sauce to smother over boiled potatoes to create one of the most delicious cold summer tapas. Sea salt and fresh parsley give this dish an extra pop of flavor, as well. The only bad thing is that you won’t want to share them!
Melón con Jamón
Another easy-peasy summer classic is melón con jamón, which is exactly what it sounds like: chilled melon wrapped in slices of salty Spanish ham. This is the ultimate combo of sweet and salty that you never knew you needed.
Salmorejo
Salmorejo is a thicker, creamier gazpacho, and is more filling. While cold soup seems strange to some, it’s a tasty way to stay cool in the summer months. You´ll often find a few bits of Spanish ham and a hard-boiled egg as a garnish. This chilled soup is seasonal and served only in the summer. So enjoy it while you can!
Pimientos rellenos
Another incredibly yummy, filling, and easy-to-assemble option is the pimientos rellenos. Piquillo peppers are cooked and canned, so just pop open the can and stuff them with a filling of black olives, tuna, onions, and parsley. It’s that easy! You´ll find them in many tapas bars when the temperatures are high.
Pan con tomate y jamón
We love pan con tomate! One of the easiest and tastiest cold tapas in the summer is bread with tomatoes topped with delicious jamón ibérico. Pair this simple, yet flavorful tapa with your favorite Spanish wine or beer. Now you’re all set!
Are You Going to Spain This Summer?
Join Food Lover Tour to experience these delectable Spanish dishes and more. You can find us in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, Granada and Seville.
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