Spanish Omelette | SPANISH Tortilla
The Spanish omelette, also known as spanish tortilla ( or tortilla de patatas ) is one of the most traditional dishes in Spain and is also widely consumed in countries like Argentina and Uruguay. Tortilla is the Spanish diminutive for torta ( cake ). It is a thick omelet whose main ingredients are eggs and potatoes.
Until recently, the most traditional and documented origin of the tortilla was from a letter addressed to the Cortes de Navarra in 1817. In that letter it was mentioned that people in the capital ate beaten eggs mixed with potatoes and bread.
Some people suggest that it was the creation of a general in the region, Tomás de Zumalacárregui, who invented the dish out of necessity, as it was easy to make and also nutritious, capable of satisfying the hunger of his army. Other people, along the same lines, says that the general arrived starving to a house in Navarra and demanded food. The peasant woman only had eggs and baked potatoes, so she decided to mash them and mix them together.
The tortilla has even been the object of scientific study! Recently, the scientist Javier López Linaje, pointed out that the tortilla has its origin in the city of Villanueva de la Serena, in the Spanish region of Extremadura in the 18th century.
He also explained why the tortilla was ( and it still is ) so successful in Spain back in the time:
- Low cost of potatoes when they arrived in Europe
- Nutritious and hunger-killing dish.
- Quick to make, as it used a new method of cooking, using a frying pan instead of an oven.
Today, the potato is one of the most traditional ingredients in Spanish cuisine, and they are definitely the tortilla protagonist.
Spanish Tortilla Recipe
Making a Spanish omelette is not hard, however there are some tricks to make your tortilla extra tasty.
Tortilla is always a great choice
The spanish torilla is so versatile that you can eat it at any time of the day! It makes a great breakfast while acompanied by a piece of toast and some hot drink. It´s also an amazing snack to take everywhere. You can place in into some warm bread and it will make the perfect sandwish and you can be sure everyone will love it. It is also a great
dish to take to work or school because you don´t need to heat it, it will be delicious either way, hot or cold. If you choose to eat tortilla for lunch or dinner you could accompanied it with a heathy salad, rice or, to keep the spanish flavours in your plate, a variety of tapas. Add some spanish fine wine to your cup or some sangria and you´ll have a perfect spanish meal.
Whatever you do, always make sure to use the best ingredientes you can find. That way, and with our recipe tips, you´ll master the perfect spanish omelete in no time.
