Basque Country is famous for their pintxos. People from all around Spain know about pintxos. If you are not from Spain you may be thinking, “So, what is a pintxo?”
Exactly what is a Pintxo?
A pintxo (pincho in Spanish) is a small dish that you will find in most dining establishments in Basque Country. Pintxos aren’t a specific thing but rather an idea or concept or what food can be.
Pintxos and tapas are not the same thing, despite what many people might think. Tapas are often thought of as small plates of food, but pintxos are specifically designed to be small and bite-sized. They are typically served on bread and held together with a cocktail stick. There is no larger size of a Pintxo. If you want more of the dish you need to order multiples.
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Pintxos are typically on display behind glass on top of the bar. There are no strict rules for what pintxos can include, they can be made with a variety of meats, vegetables, and seafood. Beyond these few commonalities there are no real rules to what a pintxo can and can’t be. To have more of a particular pintxo, one must order multiple.
This wonderfully delicious finger food forms the spine of Baque cuisine. Pintxo comes from the Spanish root word “pinchar” which means to “poke” or “stab.” Over the years the variety of pintxos has increased dramatically. Artists do love to create new works of art. However, there is one pintxo that you will find at pretty much every establishment. And that is the Spanish omelet.
A fun and easy way to get immersed in pinto culture is to take the Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide. This guided tour will take you to the Ribera Market and four other pinto bars where you will be served a pintxo and a drink. It is a great way to sink your teeth into Basque cuisine. Reserve your Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide.
Restaurants Where Anthony Bourdain Had Pintxos
Anthony Bourdain, the world renowned chef, spent some time in Basque Country discovering the traditions and styles of Basque cuisine. Although the late Boudain did go on at least one night of bar/pintxo hopping in San Sebastian (Donostia) we don’t know all the places he ventured. However, the two places where he undoubtedly ate pintxos are Haizea and Gabara.
Haizea
Haizea’s address is Aldamar Kalea, 8, San Sebastian. This pintxo bar is just outside of the Old Town (casco viejo). For this reason it attracts less tourists than other establishments in the old town. It is rather unassuming in presence but It boasts a selection of traditional pintxos as well as some that are unique to Haizea.
While at Haizea, Bourdain paired his pintxos with Chacoli. Chocoli is a sparkling wine that is unique to the region. It is a very light beverage and has a low alcohol percentage.
Ganbara
Ganbara’s address is Calle de San Jerónimo, 21, San Sebastian. It is conveniently located within the old town (casco viejo), Ganbara has been delighting those who eat there for over 25 years.
Bourdain specifically mentioned Ganbara as his favorite place to get pintxos. He ate Iberico ham with mushrooms on toast, seared mushrooms and foie gras with egg yolk, along with tartlets.
If you are curious about other places Anthony Bourdain ate check out the Anthony Bourdain World Map.
The Most Famous Pintxo
The Spanish Omelet
The Spanish omelet is vastly different from the traditional French omelet you would normally make at home or have for breakfast. Conversely, Spanish omelet is not traditionally eaten for breakfast but later on in the day.
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So what is the difference between the French and Spanish omelets? A few things, but the biggest difference is the potato that is fried in oil before being cooked in with the egg. The egg and the potato make up 90% of the dish. The other main ingredient other than oil is onion.
Like with other pintxos you can find a ton of variations of the Spanish omelet. It is quite common to have cheese or ham, or both, and is usually served with bread. Basque Country is a culture of bread lovers. It is very uncommon, if not practically a sin to have a meal without bread. Thankfully, they do bread in this region very well!
What To Pair With A Pintxo
Patatas Bravas
This spicy potato dish is a typical dish. Though it is not technically a pintxo it is a nice compliment. And unlike pintxos, patatas bravas you will need to eat with a fork.
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They fry these potatoes in oil until they are crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside. Then, they season and plate them. After that, they sauce them and often garnish them before serving them to you.
The traditional sauce that accompanies this dish is a spicy one. The base of the sauce is usually tomato and cayenne. Beyond those two base ingredients the sauce may vary between restaurants.
Patatas Bravas are a must try and are incredibly delicious. The patatas bravas displayed in this article not only have the traditional spicy tomato sauce but a cheese sauce and avocado topping as well.
Mosto
Mosto is the Spanish word for grape juice. You can choose between red and white with the white being the sweeter of the two. It is a very popular non alcoholic pairing to a pintxo.
Mosto is usually served in a tumbler glass. It is accompanied with an olive and an orange slice. It’s very tasty!
Pintxos are a cultural phenomenon to the region and embody the life here. The flavours, the creativity and the passion that goes into creating a pintxo is well worth the time and effort.
Not convinced?
Come to Basque Country, try the pintxos, your palate will thank you for it.