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Food is an integral part of Spanish culture. Bright and savory traditional dishes vividly convey the charismatic and indomitable temper of the locals. To reveal the highlights of the food of Spain is worth it while traveling in Alicante. The splendid climate of this region allows you to prepare multi-ingredient dishes from fresh and quality products of local origin, including:

• meat,
• seafood,
• vegetables and fruits,
• dairy products,
• cereals (mainly rice).

The Valencian province of Alicante is considered a paradise for gourmets. In addition to traditional Spanish dishes, you should try the local culinary delights unique to this region. Read the article to the end so you won’t miss the most delicious delicacies in Alicante.

Paella

It is amusing that the most popular food in Spain – paella – was invented in Valencia. There are over a hundred varieties of this dish In Spain, but the main component is rice. In Alicante, you can taste paella made from traditional Bomba rice grown in Denia, Valencia. Rice is seasoned depending on the recipe:

• rabbit,
• chicken,
• shellfish,
• fish,
• shrimp,
• a mixture of vegetables and legumes (vegetarian option).

The classic version of paella is prepared with adding of chicken and rabbit meat, varieties of legumes, and shellfish. Spices with a predominance of saffron give a unique flavor. Spaniards usually serve the dish at lunchtime: consider this when planning your trip.

Red shrimps

The Denia region is famous not only for its rice fields but also for its unique red shrimp. Shrimps are named after the place they were caught, and the best chefs in the world annually invent recipes for their preparation, participating in a local competition. Arriving in Alicante, try a dish with such shrimp (the easiest option is tapas).
Don’t let the high price deter you – the taste will justify any expense. During the Christmas sales hours, the value of this delicacy increases rapidly due to high demand. Therefore, come for shrimp at any other time if you want to save money!

Esgarrat

Delicious taste doesn’t mean that cooking has to be hard! Traditional esgarrat is an example of this. This cryptic word refers to a cod fillet grilled with garlic and olive oil. The Spaniards serve it with olives and sweet peppers. You can safely eat esgarrat for dinner – such food is light, nutritious, and balanced. Bright colors are in harmonious combination and contribute to a healthy appetite.

Gazpacho

This dish is famous far beyond the borders of Spain, but in Alicante, you can fully reveal its taste. Ripe red tomatoes, cucumbers, bread, and spices are mixed until the composition is homogeneous. Spaniards usually season gazpacho with olive oil and serve it chilled.
The form of serving varies depending on the density: you can drink soup from a glass or eat from a plate. Chilled vitamin soup magnificently helps to restore strength on a hot day. A more nutritious and thicker version of gazpacho is – salmorejo. The difference lies in the addition of pieces of ham when serving.

All I pebre

All I pebre, a traditional Valencian dish, is made with eel, although octopus or hake is now available. Locals used to catch eels for this dish in the Albufera lagoon. Once there were a lot of them, but now the catch is less and less successful, so it is often replaced with the same fish from farmlands.
Potato broth boils with heated olive oil, chili, garlic, and paprika. Then time to add eel meat. The slimy structure of the eel with potato starch turns the liquid into a thick sauce – and the dish is ready to serve, spreading alluring aromas. Often the sauce is boiled with the addition of crushed almonds.

Turron for dessert

Alicante is famous for its abundance of almond trees, which present delicious fruits to locals in addition to aesthetic pleasure. Turron is a traditional Christmas sweet made from crushed almonds, sugar, honey, and eggs. In terms of taste and texture, the dessert resembles nougat or marzipan, but there is something unique about it. There are on-sale options with chocolate, dried fruits, or other nuts. In this region, ice cream with this flavor is also well-known.

Conclusion

You have read about the most famous traditional dishes in Alicante, but this list is only a grain of sand in the ocean of culinary diversity in Spain. Therefore, don’t miss the opportunity to try original dishes outside this list and discover new bright combinations.
Trying to taste all the above delicacies will require you to move around a lot, so consider renting a roomy car in Alicante, Spain. It is better to choose an optimal cheap car hire in Alicante in advance to start your trip according to the plan immediately upon arrival in the area. When traveling with friends or family, consider the car hire 9 seater options to avoid splitting up on the way and comfortably accommodate your luggage.