Gazpacho

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the soup. For other uses, see Gazpacho (disambiguation).

Gazpacho
Gazpacho
Alternative namesAndalusian gazpacho, Gaspacho
CourseAppetizer
Place of originSpain, Portugal
Region or stateAndalusia, Alentejo, Algarve
Serving temperatureCold
Main ingredientswater, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, tomato, cucumber, other vegetables
VariationsSalmorejo, ajoblanco
Food energy
(per serving)
variable kcal

Gazpacho (Spanish:

Iberian peninsula and spread into other areas. Gazpacho is widely eaten in Spain and Portugal
, particularly during hot summers, since it is refreshing and cool.

Although there are other recipes called gazpacho, such as gazpacho manchego, the standard usage implies a soup. There are also a number of dishes that are closely related and often considered variants thereof, such as ajoblanco, salmorejo, pipirrana, porra antequerana (closer to a bread soup), and cojondongo.

History

There are many theories as to the origin of gazpacho, including one that says it was a soup of

salt, and vinegar, similar to ajoblanco.[4] During the 19th century, red gazpacho was created when tomatoes
were added to the ingredients. This version spread internationally and remains commonly known.

There are many modern variations of gazpacho with

strawberries, watermelon, grapes, meat stock, seafood, and other ingredients instead of tomatoes and bread.[5]

Ingredients and preparation

Most gazpacho includes stale bread, tomato, cucumbers, onion, bell peppers, garlic, olive oil,

wine vinegar, water, and salt.[6] Northern recipes often include cumin and/or pimentón (smoked sweet paprika
).

Traditionally, gazpacho was made by pounding the vegetables in a mortar with a pestle; this more laborious method is still sometimes used as it helps keep the gazpacho cool and avoids the foam and silky consistency of smoothie versions made in blenders or food processors.[5][7][8][9] A traditional way of preparation is to pound garlic cloves in a mortar, add a little soaked stale bread, then olive oil and salt, to make a paste. Next, very ripe tomatoes and vinegar are added to this paste. In the days before refrigeration, the gazpacho was left in an unglazed earthenware pot to cool by evaporation, with the addition of some water.[10]

Gazpacho may be served alone or with garnishes, such as hard-boiled eggs, chopped ham (in the salmorejo variety from Córdoba), chopped almonds, cumin crushed with mint, orange segments, finely chopped green bell peppers, onion, tomato or cucumber.[10] In Extremadura, local ham was added to the gazpacho itself rather than as a garnish; this is called gazpacho extremeño. Andalusian sources say that gazpacho should be slightly chilled, but not iced.[10]

Variations

Portuguese gaspacho, Monsaraz

The ingredients, texture, and thickness of gazpacho vary regionally and between different cooks.

Similar cold raw soups such as arjamolho in Portugal, porra antequerana and ajoblanco, are also popular in Andalusia, although not as widespread as gazpacho. Gazpacho and salmorejo are especially similar since they are both tomato-based cold soups that are widely popular in Spain; the main difference between gazpacho and salmorejo is the culinary technique used [11] since gazpacho is a soup whereas salmorejo is an emulsion. In addition, while both dishes share the main ingredients of tomato, olive oil, bread, and garlic, gazpacho can also be prepared with cucumber, peppers, and vinegar, whereas salmorejo cannot.

Gazpacho manchego, despite its name, is a meat stew
, served hot, not a variation on the cold vegetable soup.

In Spain

The original recipe using bread, water, vinegar, oil, and salt is traditional in the

salt. In addition to the traditional ingredients, red fruits such as strawberries, melon, etc., may be added, making the gazpacho a bit sweeter. Gazpacho may be served as a starter, main dish, or tapa
.

Arranque roteño

A popular variation comes from the town of

Rota in the province of Cádiz
. During times of drought, there was not enough water to make gazpacho; thus, arranque has the same ingredients as gazpacho, but requires less water and bread, making it a sort of cream. Some people add more bread until it takes on the consistency of a dip.

Extremaduran variations

Gazpacho extremeño

In

chopped onions, tomato and peppers.[13]

La Mancha variations

Main article:
Gazpacho manchego

Gazpacho manchego, as its name implies, is made in the east region of La Mancha, in Albacete and nearby areas, and is popular in other areas in the center and southwest of the country.

It is a meat stew, whose main ingredients are small

rabbit, hare, quail, or pigeon, and flatbread,[14] and may include garlic, tomatoes, and mushrooms
. It is cooked in a cauldron and served hot. Another well-known variant in La Mancha is gazpacho de pastor or galiano.

Some other hot meat or fish dishes from other regions are called gazpacho (gazpacho jumillano, gazpacho de Yecla, gazpacho de Requena, etc.)

Castilian variations

Gazpacho is often eaten during the very hot and dry summers in

Ávila has large pieces of vegetables floating in a watery soup.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd. ed cites R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 69 (1845) "Gazpacho...is a cold vegetable soup composed of onions, garlic, cucumbers, pepinos, pimientas, all chopped up very small and mixed with crumbs of bread, and then put into a bowl of oil, vinegar, and fresh water."
  2. ^ Steven Raichlen (30 August 1989). "Gazpacho: Theme And Variations". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Etimología de gazpacho (caccabaceus). Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  4. ^ Facts about Gazpacho Clifford A. Wright. Retrieved 6 July 2007.
  5. ^ a b Kate Heyhoe. "Last Blast Gazpacho: Tomato and Watermelon at Summer's End". Kate's Global Kitchen. Archived from the original on 18 August 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  6. ^ "gazpacho". Royal Spanish Academy.
  7. ^ Amiel Stanek (31 July 2017). "Green Gazpacho Is Just a Savory Green Smoothie". Bon Appetit.
  8. ^ Joe Yonan (6 July 2011). "Green Gazpacho (or Smoothie)". Washington Post.
  9. ^ Laura D'Ocon (21 June 2021). "Gazpacho: A Classic Way to Spice Up Your Smoothie With Veggies!". Foods and Wines from Spain.
  10. ^ a b c King Gazpacho, Andalucia magazine. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Directo al Paladar". 21 June 2016.
  12. ^ Cojondongo del gañán Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine en la web de Turismo de la provincia de Badajoz.
  13. ^ Lescure Beruete, Luis Felipe. DICCIONARIO GASTRONÓMICO. Términos, Refranes, Citas y Poemas (2005) p.71
  14. ^ Gazpacho Manchego
  15. ^ Wikibooks: recipe for gazpacho morañiego. (in Spanish)
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