Tales & Legends of the Real History of Tortilla Española.

Spanish Tortilla, or tortilla española or tortilla de patatas, can be found all over Spain. It is a dish that locals love to eat at any time of the day and by members of all classes which truly qualifies the tortilla as the national dish of Spain. Discover the dish and the Spanish tortilla history:

 

What is a Spanish Tortilla?

“Tortilla” translates to “little cake.” The Spanish tortilla was named as such because of the layers of sliced or cubed potatoes resembling the layers of a cake.

The traditional dish consists of eggs and potatoes and it is typically served at room temperature in tapas taverns, restaurants, and at home. There is an on-going centuries’ old debate about whether you add onions or not. Purists argue against onions, or cebollas, whereas many also argue for cebollas which add a naturally sweet depth of flavor.

At pintxos bars, you’ll find tortillas that are more solid and cooked through laying on a slice of bread. In tapas bars, you can also find tortillas that are soft and still runny in the middle served with a slice of bread on the side. Or you can also find that it’s the free tapa given when you order your first round of drinks.

Ultimately, there are no two tortillas that are the same. Every cook and family has their own recipe and their own techniques. And each one is loved…or at least liked and eaten because it was a free tapa.

 

Spanish Tortilla History… and the stories that claim its origin

Like many centuries’ old famous dishes, the tortilla has multiple claims to fame.

The one fact of this dish is that it was created after the Spaniards discovered the Incas in the 1500s and brought back potatoes, among other agriculture and produce.

One theory suggests that the tortilla was originally influenced by Persia with their kookoo sabzi dish made of whipped eggs with vegetables and herbs. This dish moved west to inspire the Italian frittata, French omelette, and Spanish tortilla.

A second claim presents evidence from an 1817 anonymous letter addressed to the court of Navarra in the Pamplona region. The document detailed the poor conditions of Pamplona and the Ribiera including the description of a dish using a few eggs and a potato cooked as a tortilla and feeding as many as 5 to 6 people.

The Carlist War period (a series of civil wars in Spain) in the mid-1800s brought two more stories of the history of the tortilla española. The first is that a Basque general during the siege of Bilbao invented the dish himself in order to quickly feed his troops. The second story claims that the tortilla was created by a housewife in Navarra who whipped up the dish for a visiting general who then popularized it.
 

Whatever the real history of the Spanish tortilla may be, the fact is that this iconic dish is loved by all Spaniards and Spanish cuisine fans.

 

Read more about Tapas:

Tapas History: A Timeline of All the Theories
Patatas Bravas: Food History of Today’s Famous Tapa
Tinto Verano: Origins & How to Order It Today
10 Best Things to Eat in Madrid
5 of the Best Food Markets and Food Halls in Madrid
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Mercado San Antón
Discovering and Tasting Logroño, Spain
Tasting and Exploring San Sebastián, Spain
Eating the Best Tapas in Taverns and Learning About History in Madrid
Huertas Neighborhood & Food Market Tour
Devour Madrid Food Tours
Dining in Yakitoro – One of Madrid’s Most Vibrant Restaurants
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Mushroom Recipe: Spanish-Inspired Oven-Roasted Champiñones
Spanish Tortilla Recipe: Trials, Errors, and Getting It Right
Tinto Verano Recipe, aka How to Day Drink at Home
Learn How to Cook Paella in Madrid
 
 


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