A – Z of Spanish Food and Restaurant Language A A la Romana - batter dipped & fried A la sal - Salted with sea salt A punto - medium well done (meats) Aceite de oliva - Olive oil Aceitunas - Olives Acelga – Swiss chard Achicoria – chicory Adobo – marinade Agua – water Agua del grifo – tap water Agua mineral – mineral water Agua mineral con gas – sparkling water Agua mineral sin gas – still water Aguacate - Avocado Ahumado - Smoked Ajillo – olive and garlic sauce Ajo - Garlic Ajoarriero – salted cod cooked in oil Al gusto - to your liking Al Horno - oven baked Al Pil-Pil - Green Parsley sauce Al punto - Medium Alas de pollo – chicken wings Albóndigas - meatballs Alcachofas - Artichokes Alcaparras – capers Almejas - Clams Almendra - almond Almíbar - Syrup Alubias - Beans Anchoa – anchovy (Antxoa in Basque) Anguila - Eel Angulas - Elvers, baby eels Añejo-aged Arándanos – cranberries Arenque – herring (smoked or in marinade) Arroz - Rice Arroz con leche - Rice pudding Asado - Roasted Asador – roasting house/tavern Atún - Tuna Atún blanco – fresh tuna Avellana – hazelnut Aves-poultry Azafrán - Saffron Azúcar – sugar B Bacalao – cod, usually salted and soaked in water before cooking. Bacalao al pil-pil – cod cooked in olive oil with Garlic and parsley sauce Bandeja - Tray Barra de pan – french baguette Bebidas – drinks Béchamel – white cream sauce Berberechos – Cockles Berenjena - Eggplant, aubergine Berza - cabbage Besugo - sea bream
Bien hecho - well done Bistec – beef steak Blanco y negro - coffee with ice cream Bocadillo - baguette sandwich Bogavante - Lobster Bollo – sweet pastry roll usually served for breakfast Bombones – sweets, chocolates Bonito - Yellow Fin Tuna Boquerones - Raw marinated anchovies Botella - Bottle Brasa (a la) - Barbecued, charcoalgrilled Brocheta – skewer of grilled meat or seafood Brocoli – broccoli Buey – beef C Caballa – mackerel Caballo – Horsemeat Cabeza – head Cabrito - Kid goat Cacahuete – peanut Café a la crema – Half coffee/ half cream Café Americano – large black coffee Café con leche – Half coffee/ half milk Café solo – short black coffee / espresso Calabacines - Courgette, Zucchini Calamar – squid Calamares - Squid Caldereta – stew Caldo or caldico – broth (clear soup) Caliente / Frío - hot / cold Calimocho – Red wine mixed with cola Callos - Tripe Camarero - Waiter Camarones – Shrimp Canela - Cinnamon Cangrejo - Crab, crayfish Canutillos – light pastry cone filled with cream Capón – capon, chicken Carajillo - coffee with brandy Caramelos – candies Cardo – cardoon (larger version of celery) Carne – meat Carne picada – minced meat Casero - home made Castaño – chestnut Cava – champagne-like drink from catalunya Cebolla - Onion Cebolleta – chive Cenicero - Ashtray Centollo - Spidercrab Cerdo - Pork Cereales – cereals Cerezas - Cherries Cerveza – bottled beer Chacina – pork sausages Champiñon - Mushroom Changurro or txangurro - spider crab Chinchón – anis based liquor Chipirones – squid