andorra-food
If you’re going on a holiday in Andorra, there is so much to excited about. There’s the beautiful scenery, the centuries of history, the unique culture, the famous Andorra ski resorts and much more, not least the delicious Andorra food. During your stay in the microstate, you’ll be able to sample and savour the flavours of the Pyrenees, as you try everything from traditional Andorra food to more modern Andorra food recipes.
Traditional Andorra food
So, what is the food of Andorra like? Well, given the principality’s location, locked in between France and Spain, it makes sense that there are both French and Spanish influences on the food in Andorra. Chefs and cooks in the country manage to combine centuries-old classic French recipes with the fresh Mediterranean ingredients that arrive from Spain’s east coast, which is just a couple of hours way.
Furthermore, given the principality’s high altitude and the several months of year with heavy snowfall, there is a strong emphasis on hearty winter dishes with the food in Andorra. These can be served all year round, but if you’re visiting during the Andorra winter ski season then you’ll absolutely come across these cosy and filling Andorra food options.
What is the best escudella recipe?
When it comes to the matter of what is the national food of Andorra, most would tell you that it is escudella, a type of pork stew with cooked pasta, pulses and seasonal vegetables. Of course, these vegetables can vary depending on the time of year and depending on where exactly you eat, but generally you’d come across the likes of beans, chickpeas, onions, celery and carrots.
If you want to eat escudella, you’ll be able to find it in most of the restaurants in Andorra, but it is definitely worth trying to reserve a table at one of the principality’s bordas or bordes restaurants for a special experience. These are essentially ancient storehouses that have been converted into dining halls, and eating escudella, the national food of Andorra, in a venue with such history is a unique experience altogether.
As for the best escudella recipe, it’s actually a fairly simple dish to make. The first step is to bring several litres of water to a boil and then throw in some chopped pork plus the seasonal vegetables. You’d leave all of this stewing and then, after two hours, add some pieces of white cabbage and, after another 20 minutes, add a handful of diced potatoes and some pasta shells, or rice if you don’t have this. After another 20 minutes, remove the larger pieces and cut then up before returning them to the main pot. Add some salt and stir and your escudella should be ready!
Even if escudella isn’t your kind of dish, there are so many other Andorra food options that you won’t go hungry during your stay! Even though the principality is landlocked and a couple of hours away from the sea, fish and seafood dishes are also very popular in Andorra. In particular, you’ll find trout, salmon and cod in most Andorran restaurants. If you see that they are being served “a la Andorrana”, what this means is that they’re being prepared Andorran-style, which usually means grilled along with some garlic and sometimes with a small topping of ham.
What is the best dessert of Andorra?
While a lot of the best food in Andorra is savoury, this is also a country that knows how to make a fantastic dessert. So, those with a sweet tooth will also have a great time! And, the pick for the best Andorran dessert is almost unanimously going to be the Crema Andorrana.
What is the Crema Andorrana? It is very similar to the French dessert of Crème Brûlée, and the process for making it is similar too, however the Andorran version comes with merengue or cream on the top.
What do people in Andorra eat for Christmas?
As is the case in most European cultures, Christmas in Andorra is a time for enjoying a big heart meal with family. The escudella fits the bill and is one of the most common Christmas-time Andorra food recipes, while some families even mix it up a little and add a festive touch by including a large meatball containing seasonal spices.
Besides the escudella, the national food of Andorra, other Christmas classics include roast lamb or turkey, along with seasonal vegetables and the unique flavours of roasted chestnuts. You might also see snails served at Christmas time in Andorra. Known locally as caracoles or cargols, snails are an Andorran speciality, usually grilled over charcoal and seasoned with local spices, and many families prepare a portion to treat themselves over the festive period.
As for Christmas desserts, turron is a popular choice, just like it is across the border in Spain. This is a type of nougat made with almonds, honey, sugar and egg whites, plus a variety of delicious toppings. Available all year round, turron is especially common during the winter months and Christmas period.
So, there you have it! These are a few of the most common and traditional Andorra food options, all worth seeking out during your next stay in the principality. Whether these dishes sound familiar or completely exotic, it’s worth trying as many as you can to ensure you get the full Andorra experience during your stay.