The Camino in 10 Dishes
The many routes of the Camino de Santiago cross different regions (in some cases countries), each with its own traditions, culture and food. If you are walking the Camino de Santiago along the French Way, from the French border, here are some classic dishes and traditional produce you will be able to taste.
This is our Camino de Santiago in 10 dishes (feel free to suggest your favourites!):
1-White Asparagus
Navarra's white asparagus are the most famous in Spain. They are delicious with just a dollop of mayonnaise sauce. Another Navarrese speciality is 'pochas', a regional type of bean, stewed with Serrano ham cubes. Here's a picture of Helena from Casa Sabina in Roncesvalles, serving her delicious 'pochas'.
2-Chilindrón sauce
Chilindrón is a traditional sauce from Navarra, Basque Country and Aragón regions, made with red vegetables, mainly tomatoes and red peppers.
You will likely find meats such as lamb or chicken cooked 'al chilindrón', in 'chilindrón' sauce.
3-Potatoes Rioja style
From La Rioja region of course, famous for its red wine, you will find a variety of dishes cooked 'a la Riojana', 'Rioja-style', including potatoes. This is more than just a potato dish, the potatoes are stewed in a clear broth with chorizo sausage.
4-Ice cream in Logroño
Marzipan, goats cheese with blueberries, cherry and orange sorbets, Ferrero Rocher... any ice cream flavour you might imagine you will find it in Logroño, capital of La Rioja and famous for its wine but also a city with a deep ice-making tradition.
5-Tapas in Burgos
Burgos has been selected the country's gastronomic capital for 2013, an important accolade, reflecting the quality of the food you will find in the city of El Cid. Go for tapas in the many bars, offering a wide variety of flavours and combinations so you can taste as many different dishes as possible.
6-Cured meats in León
As you get into Castilla-León, cured meats become even more prominent in restaurant menus. Cecina, smoked beef, is a local specialty and cured meats (embutidos) from this region are of exceptional quality.
7-Cakes and Chocolate from Astorga
Astorga had at one stage up to 64 chocolate factories - we where assured by Camino, the shop assistant, at the Alonso Mantecados shop in the Plaza de España. As good an excuse as any to stop and taste some of the artisan chocolate made locally. Don't forget to try the famous 'mantecados' (little buttery cakes) and 'hojaldres' (super sweet sticky puffy pastries). There is also a chocolate museum in town.
8-Botillo in El Bierzo
You will cross El Bierzo on sections 6 and 7 of the French Way, its capital being Ponferrada. The most famous dish of this region is 'botillo'. It is a dish where various parts of the pig chopped, seasoned, spiced and stuffed together to be cured and smoked for a few days. It gets cooked and sliced before serving and can also be eaten in stews. El Bierzo is also famous for its cherries so make sure to try them if you are travelling in Summer, you will see them in orchards along the walk and in every supermarket.
9-Octopus 'market fair style' in Melide
Galicia's most traditional dish is octopus, eaten traditionally on market days, hence its name in Galego (pulpo á feira - octopus market day style). Stop for a 'ración' (portion) at a real 'pulpería', a bar or restaurant specialised in cooking octopus, where the octopus is simply boiled and served with a sprinkle of sea salt and smoked paprika. A Garnacha in Melide is a popular stop on the last section of the French Way.
10-Arzúa cheese
Further along the way, before you get to Santiago, you will pass the market town of Arzúa, where you can get a picture taken with the statue of the humble woman selling cheese in the main square. Explore the small shops in town to get a taste of the local cheese, for example at the old school butcher shop of father and son Luís and Luís, also known as 'Carnicería Tarazona'. They will milk the cow for fresh milk on the spot and they sell the traditional Arzúa cheese, as well as their meats. The family has been running the establishment for over 100 years.
Buen Camino and Buen Provecho! We have previously shared our list of the best Galician dishes not to miss if you are walking the Camino de Santiago.
Places to see in ( Galicia - Spain ) Plaza del Obradoiro
Places to see in ( Galicia - Spain ) Plaza del Obradoiro
Praza do Obradoiro is main square of the Santiago de Compostela old town, although not placed at the real centre. Plaza del Obradoiro lies to the West of the main façade of the Santiago de Compostela cathedral, and thus the Pórtico da Gloria must be crossed to get into the building from the square.
Plaza del Obradoiro is surrounded by four important buildings, said to represent the four powers of the city: the aforementioned Santiago de Compostela cathedral to the East (the Church), Hostal dos Reis Católicos (the doctors and bourgeoisie) to the North, Pazo de Raxoi (the government; after the Spanish transition to democracy was seat for the President of the Xunta of Galicia, nowadays the city council) to the West and the Colexio de San Xerome (the university) to the South.
Once being crossed by cars, now is mainly pedestrian as the rest of the old town, with only traffic for taxis and (un)loading delivery lorries. The floor is decorated by eight rays starting from the center, where a plaque commemorates the World Heritage Site pilgrims' way of Camiño de Santiago, whose final target is around here.
( Galicia - Spain ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Galicia . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Galicia - Spain
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Camino Northern Way 5/5, from Vilalba to Santiago de Compostela | CaminoWays.com
The fifth and last section of the Camino del Norte, the Northern Way route of the famous Camino de Santiago, starts in the market town of Vilalba and takes pilgrims across Galicia’s farmland and lush country side all the way to Santiago de Compostela. You will be also joining the famous French Way in Arzúa, so you get the best of both worlds: a less travelled path on the Northern Way and the most popular and social trail on the French Way.
One of the highlights of this trip is the magnificent monastery in Sobrado dos Monxes. Since you will be walking over 100km, don’t forget to stamp your pilgrim passport and request your Compostela certificate when you reach Santiago!
Camino Original Way 2/2, from Lugo to Santiago de Compostela, last 100km | CaminoWays.com
The Original Way (Sp: Camino Primitivo) was the first route to Santiago de Compostela, when in the 9th Century most of Spain was under Moorish control, hence its name. - See more at:
This part of the Camino de Santiago goes across the second section of the Camino Primitivo (Original Way), following the iconic Camino de Santiago de Compostela; the famous Way of Saint James.
Starting from Lugo, a walled city dating back to the Roman times, this section joins the Camino Frances in the lively market town of Melide, and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. This walking tour passes woodlands and rural Galicia. During the first two days, the sections will follow an old Roman paved road and unique bridges.
- See more at:
Camino French Way 8/8, from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, last 100km | CaminoWays.com
The Camino way approaches Santiago! We travel the last section of the Camino de Santiago on the French Way starting in Sarria and covering the last 100km of the Camino Francés (French Way), the minimum required to apply for your Compostela certificate.
The Camino meanders across woodlands, farmland and peaceful hamlets, following tracks and paths lined by granite stone walls. Passing through charming villages steeped in Northern Spanish culture you will feel the Camino spirit and taste the delicious tapas on the route. The green rolling landscape of Galicia is part of each day, until we approach our final destination: the city of Santiago de Compostela with all it's beauty and mystery. - See more at:
Camino de Santiago: Trabadelo a O Cebreiro. Camino Francés, 25.
Abandonamos Castilla y León para entrar en Galicia, en concreto por la parroquia de O Cebreiro. Es una de las etapas más bellas, pero también una de las más duras. Las provincias de León y Lugo se unen en la Sierra de los Ancares, una Reserva Nacional. Nos espera un ascenso que empezará a hacerse notar entre Ambasmestas y Las Herrerías y se prolongará hasta la meta, en O Cebreiro.
Santiago De Compostela - Botafumerio at pilgrims Mass July 6th 2018
Footage of the incense burner or botafumero at the cathedral of Santiago De Compostela. This event is unique only to the church that holds the remains of the body of St James - apostle and friend of Jesus. The device takes 8 people to safely swing and guide it to just metres from the ceiling of the church which by my estimate is about 6 or 7 stories from the ground.
Albergue Domar on the Camino, Fisterra, Spain
My Camino de Santiago walk ended in Fisterra, Spain. The Albergue Domar was a great place to stay, every room with a beautiful view. The beaches and the light tower offer a fantastic setting for the Pilgrim to totally relax after their long journey.
Castillo Templario de Ponferrada - España
Aquí podremos observar como se veía en la cima de la colina en tiempos antiguos la magnitud de este Castillo.
Ubicado en la ciudad de Ponferrada, comarca de El Bierzo, Provincia de León, Comunidad Autónoma de Castilla y León, España en la confluencia de los ríos Boeza y Sil.
Camino de Santiago Part 2
One week until I start my 2nd Camino, walking the del Norte and Primitivo.
Music : Abby Dobson
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