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 Gazpacho | |
| Alternative names | Andalusian gazpacho, Gaspacho |
|---|---|
| Course | Appetizer |
| Place of origin | Spain,Portugal |
| Region or state | Andalusia,Alentejo,Algarve |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Main ingredients | water,olive oil,vinegar,garlic,tomato,cucumber, other vegetables |
| Variations | Salmorejo,ajoblanco |
| variable | |
Gazpacho (Spanish:[ɡaθˈpatʃo/ɡahˈpatʃo]) orgaspacho (Portuguese:[ɡɐʃˈpaʃu]), also calledAndalusian gazpacho, is a coldsoup and drink made of raw, blended vegetables.[1] It originated in the southern regions of theIberian Peninsula and spread into other areas. Gazpacho is widely eaten inSpain andPortugal, particularly in summer, since it is refreshing and cool.
Although there are other recipes calledgazpacho, such asgazpacho manchego, the standard usage implies asoup. There are also a number of dishes that are closely related and often considered variants thereof, such asajoblanco,salmorejo, pipirrana,porra antequerana (closer to abread soup), andcojondongo.
There are many theories as to the origin of gazpacho, including one that says it was a soup ofbread,olive oil, water,vinegar, andgarlic that arrived in Spain with theRomans.[2] The word "gazpacho" may come from the Latin adjective caccabaceus, derived from caccabus ("cauldron"), attested in the works of Tertulian, Zeno of Verona and others. This word was applied in ancient Rome to a type of bread very similar to thetorta de gazpacho.[3][4] Once inSpain, it became a part of southern cuisine, particularly inCórdoba,Seville orGranada Castilian kingdoms, usingstale bread, garlic, olive oil,salt, and vinegar, similar toajoblanco.[5] During the 19th century, red gazpacho was created whentomatoes were added to the ingredients. This version spread internationally and remains commonly known.
There are many modern variations of gazpacho withavocados,cucumbers,parsley,strawberries,watermelon,grapes, meatstock,seafood, and other ingredients instead of tomatoes and bread.[6]
Most gazpacho includes stale bread, tomato, cucumbers, onion, bell peppers, garlic, olive oil,wine vinegar, water, and salt.[7] Northern recipes often includecumin and/orpimentón (smoked sweet paprika).
Traditionally, gazpacho was made by pounding the vegetables in amortar 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 ofsmoothie versions made in blenders or food processors.[6][8][9][10] 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 anunglazed earthenware pot to cool by evaporation, with the addition of some water.[11]
Gazpacho may be served alone or with garnishes, such as hard-boiled eggs, chopped ham (in thesalmorejo variety from Córdoba), chopped almonds, cumin crushed with mint, orange segments, finely chopped green bell peppers, onion, tomato or cucumber.[11] InExtremadura, local ham was added to the gazpacho itself rather than as a garnish; this is calledgazpacho extremeño. Andalusian sources say that gazpacho should be slightly chilled, but not iced.[11]
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The ingredients, texture, and thickness of gazpacho vary regionally and between different cooks.
Similar cold raw soups such asarjamolho in Portugal,porra antequerana andajoblanco, are also popular in Andalusia, although not as widespread as gazpacho. Gazpacho andsalmorejo 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[12] 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 meatstew, served hot, not a variation on the cold vegetable soup.
The original recipe using bread, water, vinegar, oil, and salt is traditional in theIberian Peninsula, perhaps going back toRoman times. Every central and southern region has its own variety. The humble gazpacho became a very deeply rooted food forpeasants andshepherds in Spain. The basic gazpacho gave rise to many variants, some also called gazpacho, others not; some authors have tried to classify all these variations. Gazpachos may be classified by colour: the most usual red ones (which contain tomato), white ones (which contain no tomato, but includedried fruits), and green ones (which are white but contain some spices that make them green). These variants have their basic ingredients in common, includinggarlic paste which works as an emulsifier,bread,olive oil,vinegar andsalt. In addition to the traditional ingredients, red fruits such asstrawberries,melon, etc., may be added, making the gazpacho a bit sweeter. Gazpacho may be served as a starter, main dish, ortapa.
A popular variation comes from the town ofRota in theprovince 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.
InExtremadura, gazpachos are a kind of purée or thick gazpacho known ascojondongo, orcojondongo del gañán,[13] made of breadcrumbs, garlic, oil, and vinegar, then topped withchopped onions, tomato and peppers.[14]
Gazpacho manchego, as its name implies, is made in the east region ofLa 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 smallgame animals or birds such asrabbit, hare, quail, or pigeon, andflatbread,[15] and may include garlic, tomatoes, andmushrooms. 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.)
Gazpacho is often eaten during the very hot and dry summers inCastilla y León. The gazpacho made inLa Moraña in the province ofÁvila has large pieces of vegetables floating in a watery soup.[16]
