Olive oil, salt, meat, fried potatoes (in many forms) and bread are the five basic essentials of the Camino kitchen. Breakfasts are simple affairs. Many easily carried sandwiches are available. But, when the pilgrim sits down at a table to eat, there can be a startling sameness to the restaurant menu. A quick glance at the menus in the photos tells the would be pilgrim everything they need to know about style of meals that lay ahead. The plain and solid cooking of the Camino may lack sophistication, but will leave the hungry walker well satisfied at day’s end and ready for tomorrow’s trek.
Spain abounds in regional specialities and is renowned for its innovative approach to modern cuisine. The adventurous eater will discover many opportunities to sample new and delicious food. In future posts, we will take a look at pintxos in Navarra and the Basque country. How are they different from the tapas offered in Castile-León? Octopus in Galicia. And the many styles of preparing meat for the oven, grill and «plancha». When the meal arrives at the table, remember to wish them «buen provecho!»