When here in Spain a must for any traveler is to try the delightful and varied Andalusian Cuisine. Some of the best know are gazpacho a cold, Spanish Soup made from a combination of stale bread, garlic olive oil salt and vinegar, pescaito frito (fried fish) , the jamones (hams) of Jabugo and Trev�lez and the wines of Jerez particularly the delectable sherry.

With Andalusia having five coastal provinces as you can guess fish and shellfish are prominent on the menus of the regions restaurants and in the stores across Andalusia the fish counters are always full of a wide range including White Shrimp from the Bay of Cadiz, baby squid, cuttlefish, prawns, crab murex and anchovies. Walk along any seafront along the Andalusian coastline and you will be greated by the aroma of various seafood dishes being prepared. Dishes include Puntillitas, battered and fried baby squid.

The Spanish love to fry their food but what makes all the difference is that they use Olive Oil , produced locally in the proviences of C�rdoba, Granada, Ja�n and Sevilla and they dredge their food in flour a la andaluza (means only flour) it is mixed without egg or any other ingredient. although sometimes may include flour from the Chickpea especially for batters.

The Andalusians adore their deserts many of which are influenced by the Medieval cuisine of the region including Pestinos de Miel (below), a delicious deep fried pastry soaked in honey, alfajores, made of flour, honey, almonds and several spices, such as cinnamon. It is most commonly sold around Christmas and is a confection from Cadiz, armarguillos , a type of almond macaroon from Medina Sidonia, a City in the provience of Cadiz.. Other deserts include doughnuts and torrijas a type of French Toast also known as tostadas or torradas and is typically made during Easter, out of thick slices of bread soaked in milk or wine, dipped in egg, fried and then drenched in spiced honey

Andalusian Wine and in particular the wines and sherry of Jerez the later being famous all over the world is mouth watering to say the least, The sherry and wine of Jerez does not need any introduction to wine lovers of the world however other fine sheeys and wine can be found in Andalusia such as

Manzanilla , a variety of fino sherry from Sanl�ucar De Barrameda - this wine is named this as its flavor resembles Chamomile Tea and the Spanish for Chamomile Tea is Manzanilla.

The white wines of Cadiz

The wines of Malaga

The wines of Condado in Huelva

Other Drinks Include popular Liquors such as Anis ,an aniseed flavored drink made in Rute and for rum lovers a good selection from the Tropical Coast of Granada.

List Of Popular Andalusian Dishes

Salmorejo - a soup made from tomatoes, bread, oil, garlic and vinegar (C�rdoba)

Ajoblanco - White Garlic (M�laga-C�diz)

Pipirrana - Spanish Potato Salad (Ja�n) -

Habas con calzones - Beans (actually means beans with trousers)

Huevos a la flamenca - Eggs actually means eggs of the flamenca)

Alcauciles rellenos -Stuffed Artichokes (C�diz)

Migas de Harina - Flour Crumbs

Gachas - Porrige

Stew of wheat

Gazpachuelo - Potato and fish soup with vinegar(M�laga)

Ajo harina Flour with Garlic (Ja�n)

Soldaditos de Pav�a - Codfish

Patatas a lo pobre - Potatatos for the poor

Wherever you chose to eat here in Andalusia you can be certain of one thing, you will be offered a fine choice of food and wine and whether or not you chose to sample one of the less known dishes or play it say with something like paella you can be certain of one thing you will be well fed and you can sit enjoying the fine andalusian weather into the small hours enjoying the company of friends