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San Juan is a festival celebrated on June 23rd, a magical night that welcomes the summer season. The celebration takes place during the shortest night of the year; the summer solstice. It is a celebration that is usually held on ... Continue reading →

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Living la Noche de San Juan first hand. What an experience.

Check out this video for a glimpse of the festivities. Whether you're coming from afar or heading to the coast from inland, get ready to experience an unforgettable night welcoming the arrival of summer.

Video of la Noche de San Juan

I'll always remember the first time I was told about la Noche de San Juan, St. John's Eve; I was studying in Madrid and my Spanish teacher described the night he had spent celebrating on the beach in Almería.

The next summer I experienced it for myself in Málaga.

What is la Noche de San Juan

So what exactly is la Noche de San Juan? In short, it can be described as the traditional welcoming of summer seen along every beach in costal Spain on the night of the 23rd of June.

This welcoming of summer involves a little of everything you should expect from summertime in Spain, but amplified. In Spain, people are said to live outdoors, so the start of summer is a huge excitement. Everyone is ready to have fun, be with friends and family, and celebrate with food, drinks, and bonfires.

What to expect

Expect the unexpected. No matter where you are celebrating along the coast, it will be a special experience, but overall it is the people you are with that will define your night. Head to San Juan with friends, family, or join a party of beach-goers.

A couple of things to be expected are packed beaches, excitement in the air, music, and definitely bonfires. The bonfires you'll see are symbolic; some say that the fires are meant to be purifiers and protectors, providing the only lighting needed into the night. They are also said to represent the heat that fills Spanish summers. Another thing to look out for are the lanterns that are released floating into the sky.

During my first Noche de San Juan, we agreed to meet up as the sun was falling, but it was hard to find each other because everywhere you looked there were people lining the beach, picnicking and buying cervezas and mojitos from nearby chiringuito beach bars. We were in Málaga and I had never seen la Malagueta this packed before, even compared to during the day when tanners line Málaga's city beaches.

The arrival of the summer solstice

At midnight, a very special moment of San Juan begins. This is the releasing of wishes, or juras, into the flames of the bonfires. You'll see people with pieces of paper, scratching down their wishes and all that they hope to release with the arrival of the new season. Words or sentences are written down, then the pages are burned, disintegrating quickly and symbolizing a cleansing, purification and liberation from the past, and a willingness to look forward to the coming summer, for a new cycle of sun and warmth.

Next, crowds run together to the sea to swim, imagining their wishes coming true. Historically, it was prohibited to swim before the 23rd of June, when "swimming weather" was said to start, so this would be the true first swim of summer for everyone.

We celebrated on the beach, and at el Club Mediterraneo along la Malagueta, surrounded by music, concerts, and tons of people. Burning our wishes was one of the most special moments of the evening.

What to bring to the celebrations

If you are celebrating in city centre areas, you will have all you need if you bring a bathing suit, towel or blanket, and a pen and paper to write down your wishes. Along beaches near cities, you can buy drinks and food at one of Málaga's best chiringuitos. Music and free concerts also tend to be organized nearby.

If you are on a smaller, non-central beach, locals sometimes organize their own fiestas and beach barbecues. This is when it is more necessary to bring food and drinks because there aren't stands nearby. It is also a good idea to think of bringing wood for bonfires, music, and again a pen and paper for writing wishes.

Why you should celebrate la Noche de San Juan

There's nothing like seeing hundreds of people running toward the sea to have a midnight swim together in the Mediterranean: participating in this is something you need to do at least once in your lifetime.

A night of barbecues on the beach, bonfires, floating lanterns, and writing down your wishes and releasing them is something truly unique to Spain, and it is the perfect opportunity to experience a typical Spanish tradition. And what better occasion to attend a beach party than on a night dedicated to welcoming our favourite season.

Where to celebrate la Noche de San Juan

Places to celebrate la Noche de San Juan are vast and any city along the coast will be hosting a party. On this night you'll definitely notice that there are more people around and that they are migrating in packs to beaches with the necessities for an evening of fun. Follow the crowds and you'll find the celebrations.

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Celebrating la Noche de San Juan: the welcoming of summer

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Living la Noche de San Juan first hand. What an experience. Check out this video for a glimpse of the festivities. Whether you're coming from afar or heading to the coast from inland, get ready to experience an unforgettable night welcoming the arrival of summer.

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Noche De San Juan, Spain - Lonely Planet travel video

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Lonely Planet photographer Dominic Bonuccelli heads for Northern Spain for the festival of Noche de San Juan. Visit http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain for more information about Spain.

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St. John's Eve in Andalusia: La Noche de San Juan

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http://www.spain-holiday.com/Andalusia/articles/celebrating-la-noche-de-san-juan-the-welcoming-of-summer The Noche de San Juan, summer solstice is one of the most symbolic festivals to take place in Spain. The shortest night of the year, is one of celebrations that take place on the beach with roaring bonfires, drink, food, and friends. A memorable, almost surreal scene and one that needs to be experienced.

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That time when everyone visiting Spain was eager to try local classics such as paella, sangria, or tortilla Espanola seems long gone. Nowadays, more and more travelers want to get a true taste of Spanish cuisine, with all the regional specialties, century-old traditions, and Middle-Eastern influences that define it. And given the fact that Spain is such an incredible source of unique flavors, it would be an enormous shame not to enjoy them while here.

To get you started, we've rounded up a list of delicious Spanish foods that you should sample on your next trip to the beautiful Iberian country.

1. Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician octopus)

Commonly known as Polbo a Feira or Pulpo a la Gallega (Spanish), Galicia's signature dish is as hearty and delightful as the region itself. Therefore, if you have the chance to visit this picturesque green corner of Spain, which is widely known for its amazing seafood, you should certainly try the delicious paprika-flavored Galician octopus, be it in a tapas bar, a fancy restaurant, or a traditional pulperia (octopus restaurant), where they still serve it on rough wooden plates.

The origin of Pulpo a la Gallega dates back some 125 years, when during the cattle fairs, muleteers used to bring their own octopus and cook it with olive oil and lots of paprika. That's how the Galician octopus became a typical fair dish, hence the name Pulpo a la Feria (Polbo á Feira).

For an extraordinary experience, don't miss the Octopus Festival held each August in O Carballiño, Ourense.

2. Gazpacho

There's no doubt Gazpacho, the famous Andalusian cold soup, has already toured the world in various shapes and colors, but those who've tasted it know that it is nowhere as delicious and fresh as here, in the fascinating south of Spain.

Traditionally served in summer, the classic Gazpacho Andaluz is a delectable and refreshing tomato soup usually made of tomato, cucumber, onion, stale bread, olive oil, wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Depending on the area of origin, it can be served with croutons, chopped vegetables, ice cubes, and even ham.

Each August, the small town of Alfarnatejo, near Malaga, plays host to a delightful Gazpacho Festival where visitors have the chance to indulge in the iconic Andalusian dish and cheer themselves up with a traditional flamenco show.

3. Jamon

Giant legs of jamon hanging in a local tapas bar is among the images that come to mind when you think of Spain, but what many don't know is that the land of bullfights and flamenco is also the world's number one producer (and consumer) of dry-cured ham.

One of the country's most treasured foods and a highly prized produce all over the world, the Spanish jamon is still made using century-old techniques and labeled according to the pigs' breed and diet. Theoretically, Spain boasts two different types of cured ham - Jamon Serrano and Jamon Iberico, but in reality there are many variations available throughout the country.

Also known as Jamon Reserva or Jamon Curado, the famous Jamon Serrano is a dry-cured ham usually made in the Spanish sierras form various breeds of white pigs, including Landrace, Duroc, or Large White.

The exquisite Jamon Iberico, however, is a different story. Arguably the greatest ham in the world, this ancient delicacy is made exclusively from black Iberian pigs that roam freely on the picturesque oak pastures of southwestern Spain. The process is both elaborate and very rigorous, and lasts for at least three years. From the finest to the most common, Jamon Iberico is categorized as follows: Jamon Iberico de Bellota, Jamón Iberico de Recebo, Jamón Ibérico Cebo de Campo, Jamón Ibérico de Cebo.

4. Chorizo

Whether cured, smoked, or fresh, chorizo is made and eaten all over Spain. It is an utterly delicious pork sausage with lots of garlic and pimentón (Spanish smoked paprika), and also the nation's most versatile food, so it's no surprise the entire world has gone mad about it.

The Spanish chorizo can be sweet or spicy, served raw as a tapa, or added in various dishes. Some of the most important types include Chorizo Zamorano - a variety made in Castile and Leon and protected by a Marca de Garantia; the sweet Chorizo de Pamplona; Chorizo Riojano, which is protected by PGI; Chorizo Patatero (made with potatoes); Chorizo Canario (typical to the Canary Islands, with a consistency similar with that of French pate); and those made in the province of Salamanca. The finest smoked varieties can be found in Asturias, Galicia, and Cantabria.

For a quintessential Spanish experience, try it with Manchego cheese and a glass of Rioja.

5. Empanada Gallega

Some would say that there are as many versions of empanada in Galicia as there are grandmothers, so it's no wonder this super savory pie stuffed with all sorts of sautéed goodness is the region's culinary glory.

The name itself comes from the Spanish verb "empanar", which means "to wrap in bread". The filling can range from minced pork and chorizo to tuna, sardines, peppers, as well as other seafood and vegetables. A highlight is the delicious slow-cooked onion sauce (with or without tomatoes), which gives the dish its depth, flavor, and a touch of sweetness.

Although originally from Galicia, empanadas are popular throughout the world, especially in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

6. Rabo de Toro

Don't let the name frighten you, the traditional Andalusian tail stew is much more delicious than you could possibly imagine. Having its origins in 16th-century Cordoba, this dish was initially made of tails from the brave bulls killed during the corrida. Nowadays, it is mainly prepared with oxtail (cow's tail), but its sophisticated mix of ingredients along with the slow-cooking process, make the meat literally melt in your mouth.

Although ingredients may vary from one recipe to the next, some of those commonly used include carrots, garlic, onion, olives, tomatoes, and spices. Some variations can also contain a bit of wine (Jerez) and even chocolate.

7. Arros Negre (Arroz Negro)

One thing is for sure, no one in Spain cooks the rice better than the Valencians. In fact, with such an abundant variety of rice dishes that range from the celebrated Paella and Arros al Forn to the humble Arros a Banda and the rather weird Arros Negre, it's easy to see which ingredient dominates the elaborate Valencian cuisine.

However, if you're visiting Catalonia or the Valencian Community, skip the hyped paella, which is now a traditional Spanish food and can be found all over the country, and try the local and equally delicious Arros Negre. This dish hails from Castellon and its traditional recipe uses white rice, squid or cuttlefish, seafood broth, olive oil, paprika, onion, and squid ink, the secret ingredient which gives it the intense dark color. Arros Negre is usually served with allioli (aioli).

8. Fabada Asturiana

One of the most popular Spanish foods, Fabada Asturiana is a hearty warming stew of beans and sausages, originating in the Principality of Asturias, in northwestern Spain. The traditional recipe requires fabas (locally-grown large white bean), chorizo, morcillo (Spanish blood sausage), smoked paprika, and saffron.

Due to its great nutritional value, Fabada Asturiana is commonly served during the cold winter months, but it's not unusual to find it on many restaurant menus all year round.

9. Pimientos de Padrón

Simple, healthy, and full of flavor, Pimientos de Padrón make for a lovely tapas dish, especially when you're visiting the Padron region in southwestern Galicia. This is where the Franciscan monks first cultivated them in the 16th century.

Originally from Mexico, these small green peppers are now protected under the Pemento de Herbón PDO, and served fried in olive oil and dusted with coarse-ground sea salt in Galician tabernas and tapas bars across the country. The fun part is that although they're mostly mild and delicious, occasionally you can come across a very hot one. That's why the process of eating them is often called the "Spanish Roulette".

In order to honor the delightful Pimientos de Padrón, a gastronomic festival is held each year, in the first Saturday of August, (since 1979) in the Herbon parish (La Coruna).

10. Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic shrimps)

Usually served as a tapa, Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimps) is an easy, mouthwatering Spanish dish extremely popular in the south of Spain, where seafood leaps straight from the sea to the plate.

This is one of the tastiest and most widespread tapas dishes, so you can find it in bars and restaurants all over the country, sometimes even served as a main course. The focal ingredients are shrimp, garlic, and olive oil, but even so, it's hard to find two versions that taste the same, as Spanish cooks tend to add their own touches to every food they're preparing. The classic recipe will always include a bit of dry sherry (Vino de Jerez), sweet Spanish paprika, fresh lemon juice, and parsley.

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That time when everyone visiting Spain was eager to try local classics such as paella, sangria, or tortilla Espanola seems long gone. Nowadays, more and more travelers want to get a true taste of Spanish cuisine, with all the regional specialties, century-old traditions, and Middle-Eastern influences that define it.

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An Insider's Spain Travel Blog & Spain Food Blog!

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Spanish desserts are a huge part of Spanish culture- each town and city has their specialties. From decadent cheesecake to creamy hot chocolate, there is a sweet for every time of day, and every month of the year!

So don't be fooled by all that healthy talk about Spain's Mediterranean Diet. Spaniards definitely have a sweet tooth. From sugary custards to chocolate-filled pastries, Spanish dessert menus are a place of sweet, sweet joy.

Like so many foods in Spain, many of the country's desserts are regional. The Moorish influence in southern Spain means many of the desserts there are almond-based. Located just south of the French border, the region of Catalonia serves desserts with a decidedly French flare.

But no matter where in Spain you are, your sweet tooth will not be disappointed. Here are seven Spanish desserts that make my tastebuds water every time!

Top Spanish Desserts for Sweet Lovers

1. Tarta de Santiago

The Tarta de Santiago may just be the most deceiving dessert in all of Spain. It breaks all my dessert rules: no chocolate, served room temperature and often comes pre-made from a box.

But one bite of this thin, super moist almond cake and those rules evaporate from my mind. This simple cake hails from Galicia, specifically the town of Santiago de Compostela, where the pilgrimage of St. James ends. A powdered sugar cross of St. James usually adorns the top of the cake.

Get Lauren's Tarta de Santiago recipe here!

2. Tarta de Queso

Spanish cheesecake is about as opposite of New York style cheesecake as possible. It is often light and fluffy with a strong cheese flavor. The crust (if there is one!) is usually drier and crunchier and more like a cookie. And I've only ever seen one cheesecake topping in Spain: berries.

Tarta de queso is a staple of the Spanish dessert menu. Consequently, it is also a staple of my weekend dinners!

Try the Cantabrian cheesecake called Quesada Pasiega with this recipe.

3. Torrijas

If it were up to me, torrijas would on every dessert menu every day of the year. These drunken, cinnamon-spiced slices of fried bread are like French toast taken to a whole new level.

Tragically, it is almost impossible to find torrijas outside of Easter season. Only in March and April are the window displays and dessert menus of pastry shops, cafés and restaurants loaded with torrijas, Spain's traditional Easter dessert.

Torrijas come in two traditional flavors: milk and cinnamon, wine and simple syrup, or honey soaked. All are positively delicious. And yes- the photo has a very non-traditional (but equally yummy) chocolate torrija from Seville.

Luckily, these most marvelous of Spanish desserts aren't difficult to make at home! Here's Spanish Sabores' torrijas recipe.

4. Crema Catalana

Crema Catalana is sometimes called the poor man's creme brûlée. And in this match-up, I put my money with the poor man! Served in a humble, shallow clay dish, this custard dessert from Catalonia is hugely popular throughout the country.

Creamy egg yolk custard is topped with sugar that is then torched to a crisp. This distinctive flavor is so popular, in fact, that ice creams and liqueurs often come in " crema catalana " flavor.

Get the best homemade crema Catalana recipe right here!

5. Chocolate and Churros

While you won't ever find chocolate with churros on the dessert menu (and if you do- run away!), it would be blasphemous to talk about Spanish sweets without including them! Chocolate and churros is like the dessert that has broken free from after-meal status into eat-it-whenever-you-want status.

For breakfast? Churros. Mid-morning snack? Churros. Late night craving? Lots of churros. These tubes of fried dough are as versatile as they are delicious! And the steaming cup of melted chocolate that comes with them ain't too bad either.

If you're not in Spain, no pasa nada! Here's an easy make-at-home churros recipe.

6. Flan

Vanilla flan, egg flan, cheese flan, coconut flan, chestnut flan, Christmas chocolate flan... Spain is all about the flan. This rich, gelatinous dessert is made from milk, sugar and eggs, which are mixed into a metal mold that is then placed in a water bath (known in Spain as a baño Maria).

Once cooked and cooled the mold is turned upside down onto a plate, allowing that heavenly bottom layer of caramel to cascade down the wobbly mountain of flan. Yum!

Taste Lauren's Spanish flan recipe!

7. Miguelitos

There are few things more dangerous for me to have in the house than a box full of Miguelitos. These tall squares of fluffy phyllo-like dough filled with, in my case, chocolate are slightly bigger than a matchbox. One just isn't enough and the whole box is a bit too much (oops!).

Made from umpteen layers of thin pastry, they tend to disintegrate into a million flakey pieces with each bite. Yet somehow, the genius pastry chef who invented them managed to make these airy pastries marvelously moist and packed with a potent punch of chocolate ganache (or cream) in the center.
What are your favorite Spanish desserts?

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7 Incredibly Delicious Spanish Desserts - An Insider's Spain Travel Blog & Spain Food Blog!

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Spanish desserts are a huge part of Spanish culture- each town and city has their specialties. From decadent cheesecake to creamy hot chocolate, there is a sweet for every time of day, and every month of the year! So don't be fooled by all that healthy talk about Spain's Mediterranean Diet.

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A simpler version of Arroz con Pollo, this Spanish chicken and rice recipe with chorizo is every bit a satisfying and flavorful, one-pan-wonder!
I couldn't quite get myself to call this recipe Arroz con Pollo. At it's core, this Spanish chicken and rice recipe is Arroz Con Pollo, but more accurately, a simpler bare-bones version.

The flavors in this Spanish chicken and rice are still the biggest draw for me.

VIDEO TUTORIALS

First, the chicken is covered in a simple spice rub that includes smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a hint of cayenne pepper. And before we do anything else, we brown the chicken in olive oil; because crispy chicken skin is a must! And who can resist the fuller, caramelized flavor?!

Then, of course, we add Chorizo sausage, which bestows a tangy, deeper, and slightly spicy flavor to the whole dish.

Onions, green peppers, tomatoes, broth and rice go into the same pan with the browned chicken and Chorizo. And that's all the work it takes!

From here, everything cooks together for about an hour, until we have a perfectly savory one-pan Spanish chicken and rice.

Important tip

Once cooked, leave the Spanish chicken and rice in the covered pan, undisturbed for 10 minutes or so. Rice needs time to rest, and allowing the time means that the starch will set and the moisture can evenly distribute so you don't end up with a gluey mess.

What to serve with this Spanish chicken and rice?

Personally, I think this is meant to stand on its own-a bowl full of chicken and rice goodness! But it's nice to add a little side salad to compliment the hearty bowl. Two of my favorites are this kidney bean and cilantro salad or this fattoush salad.

Spanish Chicken and Rice Recipe with Chorizo

More Recipes to Try:
Easy Seafood Paella Mediterranean Hashweh Rice with Beef, Nuts and Raisins One-Skillet Mediterranean Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives One-Pan Rosemary Chicken with Root Vegetables

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Simple Spanish Chicken and Rice Recipe with Chorizo | The Mediterranean Dish

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A simpler version of Arroz con Pollo, this Spanish chicken and rice recipe with chorizo is every bit a satisfying and flavorful, one-pan-wonder! I couldn't quite get myself to call this recipe Arroz con Pollo. At it's core, this Spanish chicken and rice recipe is Arroz Con Pollo, but more accurately, a simpler bare-bones version.