Symbol of the Spanish gastronomy, the tapas are celebrated today June the 21 with lots of events all throughout Spain.
The tapas are Spain’s signature snacks and small plates. As you know they can range from a simple bowl of olives or a wedge of cheese with bread to a recipe of shrimp and garlic or a slow-cooked beef dish. They also vary by region: you can travel throughout Spain and experience many different offerings of tapas. Though the concept of tapas varies throughout the country, they are so much a part of the culture and social scene that the Spanish people even use the verb tapear, which means to go and eat tapas.
For the World Day of the Tapa, simultaneous actions are being organised by hoteliers, chefs, gastronomic societies, associations of hotels, town halls, schools, creating contests or workshops,or just preparing their signature tapas. In Almería, for instance, 50 bars and restaurants are participating today in an event which is also meant to set the candidacy of the city as next Spanish Capital of Gastronomy that will be revealed in October this year. Logroño is organising a contest of pintxos with trout fish as main ingredient, while in Cádiz you can enjoy a celebration of tapas with fish – tuna, Atlantic mackerel and anchovy.
The World Day of the Tapa is an initiative of the Saborea Spain Association, an entity composed of the Spanish Hospitality Federation, the Spanish Association of Destinations for the Promotion of Gastronomic Tourism, Eurotoques, Facyre and Paradores de Turismo, which aims to commemorate this style of eating and socializing so deeply rooted in our culture.
Images via www.tastingspain.es and more info at www.diamundialdelatapa.es