11 Best European Foods You Should Try
One of the reasons why many travelers choose Europe as their destination is because of its wide range of amazing cuisines. Europe is made up of 44 nations, each with its unique cuisine.
If you’re a sucker for great food, then Europe has something unique to entice your taste buds. This article provides you with 11 Best European foods you should try.
11 Best European Foods
1. Fish and Chips (England)
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Fish and chips form the quintessential English lunch. So, if you’re traveling to England, you should make a point of enjoying a fish and chip combo and one of the most popular eateries in the country. This meal is very common at eateries and resorts along European beaches where fishes are in plenty.
Traditionally, the fish and chips are deep-fried and served when hot. For Americans, chips refer to fries, but the English version is a bit thicker. This meal is also served with various accompaniments like curry sauce, gravy, mushy peas, etc.
History indicates that the fish and chips combo was discovered in Britain in the 1860s. Today, there are thousands of eateries serving fish and chips in England, especially along the shores of the North Sea and Celtic Sea. During World War II and Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s time, this meal was the only one exempt from rationing because it was regarded as “the good companions”.
2. Escargot (France)
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You can end your stay in France before you taste some Escargot. This meal consists of edible snails cooked in parsley butter, garlic, and other seasonings. The snails are then returned to their shells and served hot.
Although a plateful of snails may not sound too delicious, you should hold this thought until you taste it. This meal is a popular delicacy in France, and so it tends to be quite expensive. But its cost doesn’t stop prevent the French people and visitors from enjoying it. Statistics indicate that approximately 40,000 metric tons of snails are eaten in France every year.
Archeologists suggest that escargot may have existed before prehistoric times. These snails are easy to cultivate and a great source of protein. Apart from France, these snails are also very popular in Italy. The Roman elite also loved this meal.
3. Herring (Netherlands)
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Raw herring is arguably the most popular Dutch delicacy. Since the Netherlands is a maritime country, fish is in plenty and an integral part of the daily diet. But unlike other fish meals that are cooked before serving, raw herring consists of uncooked fish.
Instead of cooking the fish, you simply cure it with salt and other flavorings. This tradition became popular in the Middle Ages when the Dutch smoked and salted fish for preservation. This preservation method helped fish haulers to export fish from the Netherlands to different parts of the world.
The preservation process has been refined continuously, introducing new preservatives and seasonings like vinegar, herbs, and spices. These items are mixed to form brine, which is applied to the fish for seasoning and preservation. The seasoned fish is then served plain as a snack or with pickles and onions.
4. Gyros (Greece)
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Also referred to as Gyro, Gyros is the most popular delicacy in Greece. The meal consists of pork or chicken cooked on a rotisserie. It’s then served alongside tomatoes, French fries, onions, and tzatziki sauce. This delicacy is commonly sold on the streets where the meat and salad are served on pitta bread.
In restaurants, Gyros is served on a platter. This meal is very popular among revelers on the Greek Islands of Corfu and Mykonos. It’s widely referred to as the “Greek kebab”.
Locals claim that Gyros is the right snack to have after heavy drinking because it absorbs alcohol pretty well. However, this claim has not been authenticated by experts, so we can’t confirm or deny it.
5. Cheese Fondue (Switzerland)
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If you love cheese, then cheese fondue is a great choice for you. The name fondue is derived from the French word “fonder”, which means “to melt”. This meal is reported to have emerged in Switzerland in the 18th century. It was discovered by farmers as they tried to find effective ways to preserve their supplies through the cold seasons.
This meal is made from melted Emmental and Gruyere cheeses. Traditionally, cheese fondue is served in a shared pot where partakers dip their pieces of bread using long-stemmed forks. In 1930, cheese fondue was designated as Switzerland’s national dish.
6. Paella (Spain)
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Spain is known for its rich cuisine. Therefore, choosing the most popular dish in the country might be difficult. However, paella isn’t very far from being designated as the country’s national dish. Unlike other Spanish dishes, paella has generated global adoration.
It’s a rice dish served alongside various accompaniments, including green beans, butter beans, meat, vegetables, and seafood. Paella is cooked in a paella pan over an open fire. The pan is shallow with side handles. In 2001, a Spanish restaurateur, Juan Galbis, prepared the world’s biggest paella, which was served to at least 110,000 partakers.
7. Pizza (Italy)
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Pizza is one of the most popular dishes, not just in Italy, but in the entire world. It consists of flatbread dough covered with various toppings, including mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, meat, etc. The toppings you choose for your pizza depend on the taste you prefer.
Although this dish is common the world over, nobody makes it better than the Italians. Reports indicate that the first pizza was prepared by the Neapolitans (natives of Naples city in Italy). Different cities in Italy have their unique styles of preparing pizza, with Rome choosing a thin and crunchy base while Naples prefers a more flexible and lax bottom.
Although some people consider pizza to be junk food, Italians have some very decadent types of pizzas that you can enjoy without putting your health at risk. Some pizzas come with organic buffalo mozzarella cheese.
8. Currywurst (Germany)
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One of the things you must do when you visit Germany is to sample currywurst. It’s a combination of two popular food items: chips, sausage, and curry-flavored ketchup. Currywurst is very popular among locals, especially heavy drinkers because it absorbs alcohol pretty well.
This combo was invented by Herta Heuwer in Berlin in 1949 after she received some ketchup and curry powder from British soldiers. She poured the sauce over grilled sausages and chips and served them to construction workers. Instantly, the dish became popular among construction workers in Berlin.
9. Waffles (Belgium)
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Belgium has two popular types of waffles: the Brussels waffle and the Liege waffle. Brussels waffles are usually rectangular and feature sweet toppings, while liege waffles are oval and created from brioche-type dough. In general, waffles are created using a batter that’s baked into a waffle iron.
They’re usually served with sweet toppings like icing sugar, cinnamon, strawberries, and many others. Each region in Belgium has its unique style of waffles, giving you enough options. It’s believed that waffles first came to the United States in 1962 during the Seattle World Fair.
10. Haggis (Scotland)
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Haggis is arguably the most popular dish in Scotland. It’s a spicy pudding with sheep offal that has been mashed and stuffed in the animal’s stomach. It may sound gross, but this dish is quite delicious.
Traditionally, this dish is served on Burns Night (25th January) as relatives and friends come together to listen to one of them reading the Robert Burns poem, “Address to a Haggis”. Haggis is usually served with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes). Although it’s commonly served on this special night, you’ll still find Haggis in many restaurants around the country.
11. Pastel de Nata (Portugal)
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If you have a sweet tooth, Pastel de Nata is a good choice for you when you’re in Portugal. This is a popular egg custard tart that’s served fresh from the oven with a sprinkling of cinnamon or icing sugar. The dish is also very popular in Portuguese colonies like Brazil.
