Top 10 culinary specialities in Toledo

If there is one thing Spain is known for, it is its gastronomy. Varied and tasty, Spanish cuisine has something to excite even the most demanding gourmets. If you are planning a road trip and the city of Toledo is on your itinerary, you will have no choice but to make a stop – so many different smells and flavours will tempt your nostrils. In short, in the capital of Castile-León you can make magnificent cultural, historical and, of course, gastronomic discoveries. That’s why we’ve selected ten of the city’s specialities for you to try. Ready to go? Ready to eat!

What to eat in Toledo Our Top 10 culinary specialities of the city

1 – Tapas

Who isn’t crazy about those delicious snacks called tapas? These appetizers have their roots in Spanish cuisine and are one of the most popular dishes in kitchens all over the world. In Toledo, you’ll find tapas almost everywhere: it’s rare to find a restaurant that doesn’t serve these little delicacies. And the filling? As varied as Spanish cuisine. There is a wide range on offer: cold meats, cheeses, seasonal vegetables, fish, olives… There is something for everyone! There is something for everyone!

2. Beans from Ávila

Avila beans are large dried beans that are very popular in the Toldène region. White in colour and larger than the average bean, they are easy to recognise and are a typical accompaniment to many dishes. Would you like some tips on how to prepare this simple and delicious recipe? It is best to cook the beans fresh, or soak them the day before. The flavour will be even better and the beans will be soft and fluffy at the same time.

3. Avila egg yolks

It’s time for a little sweetness. Yemas de Ávila is a Spanish sweet that is very popular in the Avila region and throughout Spain. In Spanish, “yemas” means “egg yolk”: one of the main ingredients in the preparation of this unique delicacy. As you start your day in the morning, Navaway recommends that you visit one of Toledo’s pastry shops to enjoy these creamy pastries sprinkled with icing sugar. The recipe is still carefully guarded and secret, passed down from generation to generation.

4. Partridge pâté

Toledo’s gastronomy is based on dishes with a strong flavour, and partridge pâté is a perfect example of this. Popular in the Middle Ages, partridge pâté is one of the oldest dishes, but it is still very much alive in Toledo. Initially, it was made with minced meat or battered fish. In Spain, partridge pâté is eaten with onion, egg and spices. It is baked in the oven and served with slices of bacon and bay leaves.

5. Garlic soup

No, no, don’t go! How do you know you don’t like it without even tasting it? Garlic soup is one of Toledo’s traditional dishes. It is usually prepared in a clay pot and eaten at the end of the year, when temperatures start to drop. What’s in the soup? Garlic, of course, oil, ham, paprika, bread, eggs? And the star product: ñoras. They are dried peppers with a rounded shape, typical of Spanish cuisine.

6. Cuchifrito

Originally from Segovia, cuchifrito has spread to many Spanish regions, and Toledo is no exception. In fact, it is a mixture of various foods fried in olive oil and garlic. If you like the delicate flavour of roast suckling pig, tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, you will love to enjoy this dish with your choice of garnish. Very easy to prepare, the dish is usually made with lamb, pork and kid meat, which is first cooked twice before frying to tenderise the meat.

7. Arroz a la toledana

Rice is one of the most widely consumed dishes, present in all the cuisines of the world. During your stay, leave aside the traditional white rice we are all familiar with and try arroz a la toledana. This is prepared with chicken, squid and mushrooms. It also has other ingredients, which we’ll let you discover once you’ve tasted the first spoonful of this delicious dish. Very easy to cook, it’s sure to be a recipe you’ll want to make again after your stay.

8. Gaspacho

One of Spain’s most typical recipes, for which the country is world famous, had to be included in this ranking. Gaspacho is a traditional cold soup found in practically every region of Spain. It is a very healthy dish, made with garlic, peppers and tomatoes. Very light and appetising, it is the typical dish that restaurants proudly display at the top of their menus when the heat arrives and temperatures rise.

9. Tinto de Verano (Summer red wine)

This is undoubtedly Spain’s star drink. Tinto de Verano is a drink that is drunk slowly, especially in summer. Everywhere you go in Toledo, in bars and restaurants, you will have the opportunity to drink this sweet and refreshing nectar. Toledo locals and tourists alike enjoy it as a sweet speciality. The freshness of the fruit blends perfectly with the combination of red wine and soda to delight your palate. It is the ideal drink for your little summer breaks during your visit.

10. The Caldereta

To finish this somewhat succulent ranking, we present the Caldereta. A seafood dish eaten in Spain, but this time with lamb from the Toledo region. The meat is carefully simmered with garlic, tomato, onion, pepper, pepper and white wine. It is a popular meal with visitors to the city, who are always delighted to enjoy tender meat mixed with a variety of equally succulent ingredients.