Living Abroad Life in the US

The 5 Foods You'll Miss as a Spaniard living in the U.S.

Wise

30.01.17 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 2 minutes

###Moved to the U.S. from Spain? Craving some home cooking?

Well there's some good news for you. Throughout the U.S., Spanish restaurants continue to sprout up in major cities and promote the tapas trend. But there are also tasty Spanish foods, from chestnuts to croquetas, available at supermarkets and online retailers.

We asked Spanish expats in the U.S. about what foods they miss from their various regions back home and where to find them in the U.S. at affordable prices. Below is a selection of their top answers.

####Las castañas

Chestnuts

Most Americans know of ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’ only from the popular Christmas carol.

But in many parts of Spain, the savory smell of chestnuts -- along with that of fresh churros and hot chocolate -- being sold on the streets is an indicator that winter has arrived. In the U.S., several online retailers such as Amazon.com and TastingsGourmetMarket.com sell cut and peeled Matiz Gallego Organic chestnuts, exported from the Galician region of Spain where they have been grown for many years.

Another well-known Spanish nut, Marcona almonds, are rising in popularity around the U.S.: they are easily found around the U.S. at stores such as Trader Joe’s and Kirkland.

####Jamón Ibérico

Ham

Made from Iberian black pigs fed a diet of acorns and grains, this ham is said to be as delicious as it gets in Spain (and, well, most of the world.)

Since it was first imported to the U.S. in 2007, the sky-high prices of this savory pure-bred have been steadily dropping. Now it’s available at online retailers such as Tienda.com and LaEspañolaMeats.com, both which boast a strong selection of other Spanish meats such as Morcilla with rice and chorizo.

####Queso

Cheese

Perhaps Spain’s best known cheese internationally, imports of Manchego from the La Mancha region of Spain to the U.S. continue to grow.

Trader Joe’s carries an especially delectable and affordable version of the cheese combined with another Spanish delight, olives. Whole Foods also offers a marvelous Manchego aged the typical six months.

For those craving goat’s milk cheese, the decadent Veigadarte produced just north of Madrid is also available in the U.S. through Cowgirl creamery and PetersonCheese.com, which ships throughout the country.

####Paella

Paella

Mmm, Paella. Just like chestnuts, the sight and smell of this Valencian dish -- cooked in a giant pan with saffron, rosemary, rice, veggies and meats galore -- is immediately recognizable from the street.

Cost Plus World Market sells all the Spanish supplies you need to create authentic paella at home, such as Iberico dry cured chorizo, Calasparra rice, paprika, Mezzetta olives and even a 15-inch paella pan. And if your time in the U.S. has left you craving a convenient and quick meal, the Spanish brand Trevijano sells a pre-made vegetable paella.

####Croquetas

Croquetas

One of the most famous tapas in Spain, croquetas are one ultimate comfort foods.

With a rich meat and/or vegetable filled interior baked in a pastry coated with bread crumbs, they are difficult to stop eating. These sentiments especially apply to the Spanish-made Croquetas de Hongos from Tienda. Filled with wild Boletus mushrooms from Basque country, these frozen pastries just need to be baked in the over. Or buy some of your own Jamón serrano and make the most typical type of croquetas yourself.

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