Salamanca Gastronomy
Salamancan cuisine is deeply influenced by the geographical diversity of a province that ranges from pastures and wheat fields to mountanous highlands. A common feature shared with the rest of Castile is the roast, be it suckling pig (Cochinillo) or goat (cabrito). Yet the real local staple is pork, appearing in the vast majority of the region's dishes. There is the limón of Ciudad Rodrigo, a cold platter prepared from meat, chorizo (spicy Spanish sausage), egg and lemon, and eaten during Carnival season.
Another is Hornazo, a pie traditionally associated with Easter time but nowadays available any time, anywhere. The dish varies depending on the district in which its served. Hornazo contains chorizo, ham, bacon, pork, hard boiled egg and sometimes even poultry. Yetr another typical dish is Farinato, a white sausage meat made with bread crumbs, lard and seasoning (usually eaten with fried eggs).
Moors and Jews alike left their mark on the
local confectionery and pastries. Good examples include the amarguillos
(almond cookies) and mazapanes (marzipan) from the Convent of
Santa María de Dueñas, and the buns and biscuits
made by the nuns in Alba de Tormes, to say nothing of the bollo
maimón, a kind of sponge cake.
A comprehensive list of cakes, biscuits, sweet meats and the like
made in the area would be too long to print here. Naming a few
will however make the task of spotting them that much easier:
roscas (doughnut-like rings); quisquillas almendradas and arrope
(grape syrup) from La Alberca; almendras garrapiñadas (candied
almonds) from Alba de Tormes; Obleas (wafers); perrunillas (oval
or circular cinnamon-and-lemon flavoured biscuits); repelados,
duquesitas; hojaldres (puff pastry) from Ledesma and Santillán;
obispos from Yeltes; and empiñonados and huesillos (fried
finger-shaped pastries) from Béjar, and so on.
Many good restaurants are to be found en route, where the region's
varied fare may be enjoyed to the fullest. Bars abound, and the
custom of tapeo (ordering a mix of snack-like servings, known
as Tapas) is almost a "must" in and around the Plaza
Mayor, the Arco del Toro, Calle Clavel and Plaza San Julián,
are other neighborhoods where local specialities are served.