Galicia is an autonomous community located in the northwest of Spain that is definitely eye-catching. It is one of those places where you want to come back again and again to continue to discover its charms and enjoy its landscapes, its cities, its villages. On top of its landmarks, Galician cuisine is another thing that you will love to enjoy. Its exquisite dishes, based on local products, are prepared the old-fashioned way, over a low flame, with dedication and love for the ingredients. Meat, fish, cold cuts, spices… Galicia is an inexhaustible source of raw materials, which transforms each of its dishes into an explosion of flavors.

 The culinary specialties of Galicia are very extensive and each province has its own delights. And if you are traveling there and don’t know what to try, not to worry! Today, we list some of the traditional dishes that you can’t miss when you set foot in this beautiful country.

 1.Liscos and Chorizo Pie

The Galician empanada (pie) is one of the most recognized and exported dishes. There are many fillings, but one of the most popular is the liscos with chorizo. The dough is always the same, but the filling includes liscos in strips. Lisco is the term used for lard.

 The other star ingredient is chorizo. In Galicia, excellent sausages are made; in Ourense, for example, a spectacular chorizo cular is produced from lean meat, bacon and spices, but fresh chorizo is better for the empanada. The important thing is that it is tasty and juicy, because it will have to be cooked in a pan.

 2.Galician Octopus

The octopus of Galicia cannot be missing in any tasting menu. It is a dish based on sliced cooked octopus and boiled potatoes, which is served on a wooden plate garnished with oil, paprika and a pinch of coarse salt. If you decide to make it at home, it is essential to follow the cooking recommendations so that it does not remain hard. You will have to “scare” it 3 times and let it cook for about 25 or 30 minutes, depending on its size.

 3.Galician Soup

This traditional dish of winter cooking can be prepared in different ways and each cook usually gives it a personal touch. But there are a few essential ingredients, which are beef or pork, a piece of smoked Galician chorizo, some Galician fat (white pork fat), cachelos, white beans or broad beans and seasonal vegetables, usually turnip greens, turnip greens (“shoots”) and kale or white cabbage. From there, the recipe can be “refined” by adding or removing elements. The important thing is that it is cooked for a long time and kept for the next day, as it is better overnight.

 4.Lacon(Pork) With Turnip Greens

This famous dish of Galician cuisine is best eaten during carnivals, when the turnip greens are at their best. It takes time to prepare, but it is worth a try because the result is impressive. First of all, the ham must be soaked for a few days to lose its salt.

Once desalted, it is cooked and the same water is used to boil Galician chorizo and chopped potatoes. Finally, the turnip leaves are added and cooked for 10 minutes with the rest of the ingredients.

 When serving, the ham is cut into pieces and the plate is assembled with the potatoes, chorizo and turnip leaves. Simply drizzle with a little olive oil and add paprika. An interesting tip to prevent the turnip greens from becoming bitter, is that it is advisable to blanch them in boiling water for 15 seconds before adding them to the cooking stock.

Here you go! If you come accross Galicia, you now know the 4 dishes that you should absolutely try! What was the tastiest meal that you had during one of your trip? Share your experience with us in the comments below!