Origin of Valencian paella and its evolution to the present day Valencia is synonymous with sun, beach and good weather; But is there anything more Valencian than a paella? This dish has already become famous all over the world, and no wonder! It is one of the most complete dishes
Valencia is synonymous with sun, beach and good weather; But is there anything more Valencian than a paella?
This dish has already become famous all over the world, and no wonder!
It is one of the most complete dishes in our gastronomy and although it is made throughout Spain, Valencians will tell you that paella is from here, from Valencia. Or as they call it, the earth.
Of course, be careful with telling a Valencian that the paella has chorizo or hard-boiled egg!
For Valencians, that is rice with things. 😊
And they are proud to have this dish that has crossed so many borders and has become so popular.
Surely you've seen this dish before and, hopefully, you've even tried it!
But how much do you know about its origin? Do you know the ingredients of an authentic Valencian paella?
If you want to know these answers and many more curiosities, stay and keep reading! 😉
Since when do you think this wonderful dish has been cooked in our country?
You won't believe it, but it does nothing more and nothing less than six centuries!
Yes, yes, you read that right… CENTURIES!
The origin of paella goes back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and is related to the inhabitants of rural areas.
There, farmers and shepherds created this dish that they cooked with all the ingredients they had on hand in the field. Hence, it is mostly composed of meat and vegetables.
And what is one of the most famous rural areas of Valencia? Exact!
The Albufera!
It is here, around this wonderful lake, where Valencian paella was born.
And how do you think they did it? Well firewood!
If you really want to try the authentic Valencian paella, it has to be cooked like this, over low heat, with orange wood and in the open air.
The inhabitants of Albufera originally used chicken, rabbit, birds that they could hunt, duck, vegetables, rice and, on some occasions, snails.
This recipe spread and changed in the areas closest to the sea, where its inhabitants used products they caught for this dish.
In the 19th century this dish became very popular and spread throughout Spain, giving rise to new and different recipes.
Surely you have wondered more than once what the origin of this word is.
Before being called that, this dish was known in Spain as Valencian rice, until the word paella became the official and most famous name.
Well, as with the ingredients of paella, there are different versions of its origin.
According to the Royal Spanish Academy, This word has its origin in Valencian.
the word patella, from latin, meant small frying pan and passed into Valencian with the form paella. It was from there that we took it for Spanish.
It is, therefore, a Valencian word that comes from Latin, and one of those cases in Spanish in which the object in which it is cooked gives its name to the dish itself.
Curious, right?
There is also anothermuch more romantic theory. There are several versions of this legend.
The first says that once, in a town near Valencia, there was a girl whom many wanted to marry.
Her father, to decide which of the many men who had asked for her hand would marry her, decided to have a rice bowl competition. The winner would marry her.
That day, all the contestants shouted: It's for her! And from this phrase, that for her became paella, thus naming the rice that won the contest and this famous dish that was previously known as Valencian rice.
The other version is much shorter and more general and says that this name comes from the phrase for her. This legend says that it would be a dish that men cooked for their wives.
Which version do you like best?
Tell us in the comments! 😉
If you visit Valencia, you cannot leave without having tried the Valencian paella. 😊
And what are its ingredients? Chorizo, peas?
Nothing of the sort!
The Valencian paella with meat and vegetables, specifically chicken, rabbit, green beans and garrofon, a very typical bean from here. It also has grated tomato, saffron and a sprig of rosemary for flavor. And of course, oil, water and salt.
Although this is the most common and traditional recipe, there are varieties.
Valencia is an extensive province and in each place typical products from these areas are added.
In areas of the Ribera Alta, a Valencian region, paella also has small balls of meat, similar to meatballs, which in Valencian are known as mandonguilles. Snails and green pepper are also included in this recipe.
In the Safor, another Valencian region, is also made like this, but without green pepper.
In the Lower Bank The protagonist of paella is the duck. Duck and snails are added to all the typical ingredients of Valencian paella.
In addition, these versions of paella also use a greater variety of beans typical of those areas.
Who said paella was only chicken and rabbit?
In addition to the most traditional recipe, there are also numerous types of paellas.
Here we tell you some of the most famous or popular.
This is one of the most popular paellas in the Valencian Community, and it's great!
Tradition says that it was born in sea areas, where they replaced the ingredients of the chicken and rabbit paella with seafood.
What, then, are the ingredients of this seafood paella?
This dish has different types of seafood, mollusks and rock fish.
In it you can find cuttlefish, squid, crayfish, clams and clóchinas, the typical mussel of the Mediterranean area.
To make this paella, you don't have to use water but fish broth.
If you are a fish and seafood lover, this is, without a doubt, your paella.😉
Can't decide between one chicken and rabbit paella or oneseafood?
Don't worry! With the mixed paella you will have the best of each one.
This mixed paella with seafood and meat, hence its name.
If you order this paella, you will enjoy rice with shrimp, clams, mussels, pepper, onion, crayfish, chicken and lean pork.
It is one of the most famous and popular recipes in the world! 😊
This option is perfect for vegetarians and those who are passionate about vegetables.
And as its name indicates, this rice is made from vegetables: onion, leek, pepper, cauliflower, asparagus and artichokes are the main ingredients.
It is a paella with a lot of flavor and, of course, very healthy!
Finger licking good!
Currently paella has been declared Asset of Intangible Cultural Interest, and paella is much more than a dish.
Throughout the Valencian Community there are parties and competitions in which paella is the main protagonist; shape part of Valencian culture and society, of his identity.
The tradition in Valencia is to eat it with wooden spoon so as not to spoil the bottom of the paella pan and directly from the paella.
Because?
Well, because this way the rice maintains its temperature much better.
But be careful! If you eat paella this way, it is very important to follow one rule: each diner has an area from which to eat, no more passing your spoon all over the paella!
It is also a symbol of unity, since it is a dish made and designed to share.
While a paella is being prepared, both friends, colleagues and family enjoy some time in company, having a good time.
It's the best excuse to spend a great day with them, and our students know it!
Many of them visit the Albufera and enjoy after a real Valencian paella tasting in El Palmar.
Can you think of a better plan than to practice your Spanish while trying this delicious dish? 😉
Impossible, right?
So now you know, when you come to Valencia, order a paella and see why it is one of the most popular dishes in Spanish gastronomy in general and Valencian cuisine in particular.
And, by the way, you can learn Spanish and get to know different cultures in Hispania, Spanish school.
We are waiting for you with open arms! 😉
Article written by Patricia de la Puente for Hispania, Spanish school
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