TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Cantabrian Foods
Rabas or fried squid is the quintessential seafood tapa of the Cantabrian coast. Made with sliced squid strips or rings that are lightly battered or breaded before they are fried to crispy perfection, this dish is best savored when lightly seasoned with salt and with an optional drizzle of fresh lemon juice.
There are numerous variations on the dish depending on the species of squid, the type of flour, or the oil used in the preparation, as well as the preferred version of cutting the squid (strips, rings, or other shapes). The best rabas are, nevertheless, those made with fresh squid, defined by a firm consistency, thin coating, tender bite, and natural seawater flavor.
MOST ICONIC Rabas
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Picón Bejes-Tresviso is a blue cheese made with cow's, sheep's and goat's milk, produced in Cantabria, in the north of Spain. It is made by loosely placing hazelnut-sized curds in the mould, allowing sufficient air to circulate and start the growth of Penicillium mould.
The cheese is then salted and dried for 12 and 18 days, at a temperature between 15 and 18 °C (59 and 64 °F). Picón Bejes-Tresviso has a thin, grey to yellow-green rind and is white, smooth and compact on the inside. It has teal-colored veins and a powerful, slightly spicy and tart flavor.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
The essential ingredients in this hearty Cantabrian stew include white beans and collard greens (berza), but the dish is commonly enriched with chorizo (pork sausage) and morcilla (blood sausage), pork ribs, and bacon.
It is believed that the stew was invented in the 17th century, but it was given its current name in the 1960s. Unlike many other types of Spanish stews where the broth is served separately, cocido montañés is typically enjoyed as a one-course meal.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Cocido
MOST ICONIC Cocido montañés
Reminiscent of a cheesecake, quesada pasiega is a traditional Cantabrian creamy cake made with a combination of butter, sugar, milk, flour, eggs, and either ricotta or cheese curds. It is typically flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest. The texture of quesada pasiega is similar to that of a dense pudding.
When baked, it can be served hot or cold. It is recommended to top it with fruit jams in order to make it even more delicious.
Sobao pasiego, a popular sponge cake from Cantabria, is made from yeasted dough that is typically flavored with lemon zest and either anise liquor or rum. Originally, the cake was made from leftover bread dough, but near the end of the 19th century, it has been modified into its present-day form.
The tradition of preparing it and the simplicity of ingredients used in the preparation helped sobao pasiego gain PGI status in 2004.
MOST ICONIC Sobao pasiego
Quesucos de Liebana is a semi-hard cheese made with full-fat milk from Tudanca, Swiss Brown and Friesian cows, sometimes combined with goat or sheep milk. It has been traditionally produced the municipalities in the district of Liébana, in Cantabria.
The cheese is packed into self-draining molds, giving the cheese its characteristic wheel shape. It is matured for at least fifteen days, after which it can be smoked using juniper branches to intensify the flavor and give it a deep, smoky aroma. Quesucos de Liebana has a mild, buttery flavor and a characteristic, mellow aroma.
Queso Nata de Cantabria is a hard cheese produced in the region of Cantabria and in the basins of the rivers Urdón and Cervera. It is made from unpasteurized milk of Friesian cows reared in the area. The cheese is aged for at least 7 days, and usually between 14 days and two months.
It is regularly turned and cleaned during the period of maturation. The flavor of Queso Nata de Cantabria is quite mild, with a nice balance of bitter and sweet. Its texture is firm, smooth, and buttery, which makes it melt in the mouth quite easily.
Pair with
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Pollo campurriano is a traditional dish originating from Cantabria. The dish is usually made with a combination of chicken, paprika, flour, cubed ham, bell peppers, scallions, chicken stock, onions, garlic, rice, white wine, bay leaves, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
The chicken is seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika, dusted with flour, and fried on each side in olive oil until golden. It is then cooked with ham, bell peppers, and scallions, then covered with stock and simmered with garlic, onions, and white wine.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Cantabrian Food Producers
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2021
BEST Quesería Lafuente Cheeses
Conservas El Capricho, based in Cantabria, Spain, is renowned for producing some of the world's finest canned anchovies, noted for their premium quality and artisanal processing. This family-owned company is highly selective about its raw ingredients, using only fresh anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea, which are processed by hand to ensure optimal taste and texture.
They emphasize traditional methods, aging the anchovies in sea salt for over a year, which enhances flavor depth. El Capricho’s products are praised for their delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and balanced saltiness, making them a gourmet favorite.
AWARDS
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Anchovies
2024
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Tuna
2024
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Special Products
2024
BEST Conservas El Capricho Seafoods
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
BEST Herederos de Tomás Ruiz Cheeses
AWARDS
Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2024
BEST Cervezas DouGall's Beers
Rezumar, S. A. is a Spanish manufacturer based in Laredo, Spain, specializing in tinned fish products, particularly anchovies. The company operates in the fish, salt-water industry, producing anchovy fillets and salted anchovies. They are known for their high-quality anchovy products, which are marinated in olive oil.
Rezumar’s products are available internationally, catering to both national and global markets
Conservas Codesa is a Spanish company known for producing premium canned seafood, particularly anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea. Founded in 1976, Codesa combines traditional techniques with modern quality controls, ensuring exceptional taste and texture in its products.
They specialize in hand-cleaned and cured anchovies, which are then preserved in olive oil to enhance flavor. The company has received international acclaim for quality and sustainability, with a commitment to responsible fishing practices.
AWARDS
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Anchovies
2024
BEST Conservas Codesa Seafoods
Conservas Angelachu, based in Santoña, Spain, is renowned for its artisanal approach to preserving high-quality anchovies and tuna. Founded in the late 1990s, this family-owned company draws on four generations of expertise, emphasizing traditional handcrafting methods to create gourmet products.
They specialize in Cantabrian anchovies, known for their smooth texture, rich flavor, and meticulous preparation, from hand-filleting to careful canning to maintain freshness and quality. Their anchovies, caught in spring, are preserved in premium olive oil, enhancing their natural flavor while meeting high standards for sustainability.
AWARDS
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Anchovies
2024
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Tuna
2024
BEST Conservas Angelachu Seafoods
Anchoas La Capitana, based in Cantabria, Spain, is renowned for its premium Cantabrian anchovies, celebrated for their rich, deep flavor and smooth texture. They source their fish exclusively from the Cantabrian Sea, noted for its superior anchovies due to the nutrient-rich waters.
The brand follows traditional, artisanal methods, hand-filleting and carefully curing each anchovy to maintain quality. These anchovies are preserved in olive oil, enhancing their flavor while maintaining freshness.
AWARDS
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Anchovies
2024
BEST Anchoas La Capitana Seafoods
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Cantabrian Food Products
Crema De Queso Camembert is a specialized dairy product produced by Quesería Lafuente. This product is known for its rich, creamy texture and distinctive flavor derived from Camembert cheese. It is typically used as a spread for bread, crackers, or as an ingredient in various culinary dishes.
The cream cheese is crafted to maintain the authentic taste of traditional Camembert, providing a smooth and luxurious experience.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2021
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
ANCHOA DEL CANTÁBRICO AHUMADA is a gourmet product made from Cantabrian anchovies. These anchovies are smoked to enhance their rich, natural flavor, providing a unique and exquisite taste. Known for their high quality, they are carefully selected and processed using traditional methods.
This delicacy is often enjoyed as a tapas, paired with bread, olives, or cheese, and is a favorite among seafood enthusiasts for its tender texture and robust flavor.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
Filetes de Anchoa del Mar Cantabrico en Mantequilla Ecologica are a gourmet product produced by Conservas M. A Revilla. These anchovy fillets are sourced from the Cantabrian Sea, known for its high-quality seafood. The fillets are preserved in organic butter, providing a unique and rich flavor profile that enhances their natural taste.
The use of organic butter not only adds a luxurious texture but also aligns with environmentally sustainable practices.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
The product "Rezumar Anchoas del Cantábrico Gran Reserva" is a premium selection of anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea. These anchovies are renowned for their exceptional quality and are carefully hand-packed in olive oil to preserve their rich flavor and firm texture.
Rezumar prides itself on using traditional methods to ensure the finest taste, making these anchovies a gourmet choice for culinary enthusiasts.
AWARDS
Crystal Taste Award - 3 stars
2025
The Anchoas Serie Limitada by Conservas Codesa is a premium anchovy product from Spain, celebrated for its artisanal preparation and high quality. Made with Cantabrian Sea anchovies, it undergoes a meticulous curing process of up to 18 months, which enhances its rich flavor and smooth texture.
This limited-edition line uses only the finest selection of anchovies, hand-cleaned and filleted to preserve taste and quality. The anchovies are then packed in olive oil, which complements the fish’s natural flavors and gives a luxurious mouthfeel.
AWARDS
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Anchovies
2024
Anchoas en Aceite de Girasol Alto Oleico are meticulously crafted anchovy fillets from the Cantabrian Sea, known for their premium quality and rich flavor. These anchovies undergo a traditional curing process that spans 12 to 18 months, enhancing their natural taste and creating a firm yet tender texture.
High-oleic sunflower oil is used as a mild covering oil, preserving the anchovies' natural flavor without overpowering it. Each anchovy is hand-cleaned and packed to ensure minimal saltiness and maximum freshness.
AWARDS
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Anchovies
2024
Anchoas en Aceite de Oliva from Conservas Angelachu are renowned for their meticulous production, originating from fresh Cantabrian anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus). The company hand-selects anchovies, which are cleaned, filleted, and preserved in premium olive oil to enhance their rich, savory flavor.
Angelachu uses a traditional salting and curing process, ensuring a firm texture and a delicate balance between salty and umami notes.
AWARDS
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Anchovies
2024
Anchoas del Cantábrico are premium anchovies harvested from the Cantabrian Sea, known for their rich flavor and tender texture due to the cool, nutrient-rich waters. The company hand-selects and processes each anchovy with traditional methods, ensuring consistent quality and an intense umami profile.
Packed in olive oil, these anchovies are renowned for their delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality, making them a staple in Spanish gourmet cuisine.
AWARDS
World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Anchovies
2024
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