Foods to Try in Europe
Let me preface this quick read with a statement that there is no way I could list all of the foods you need to try when you’re in Europe. There are way too many and in all honesty, you should probably just try all of them. That way you will know exactly what you will like and won’t like. This quick read is going to be focused more on foods that you need to try when you’re first getting into European traveling. Or maybe it’s foods that those people who are a little less adventurous with trying new foods should start with. This list is going to include foods that are similar to foods we have here in the states but taste much different in Europe. I encourage you to try these in your travels even if you think you know what they’ll taste like.
Charcuterie boards are everywhere in Europe. Even though we have a version of them here in the states, try them in Europe. Much better. The meats are different, the cheeses are different. They use different accompaniments. They're simply amazing.
Similar to a charcuterie board, a smorrebrod is an open faced sandwich piled high with almost anything. Made popular in Denmark, the sandwiches start with rye bread and a combination of eggs, meat, cheese and fish. From there, the possibilities are endless.
France is known for it's croissant- the buttery, flaky puff of deliciousness we all known and love here in the states. Check out our blog on desserts in Paris for more information (PARIS BLOG). Although France is thought to have created this tasty treat- it was actually their neighbor to the right, Austria
Oh man, do I love a good gyro. This handheld explosion of taste originated in Greece and has since become widely popular around the world. Pronounced yee-roh, this flatbread is traditionally stuffed with grilled meat and tzatziki sauce.
If you have ever had a rice and meat dish, you might have had a version of paella, a dish very popular in Spain. Traditionally, you will find this dish served with a couple of meats in it, perhaps chicken, chorizo and seafood for example. The meat and rice are simmered with vegetables in a mixture of broth, garlic, saffron, paprika and rosemary.
Anyone who knows me knows that I cannot live with cheese. I love all the cheeses. And then Switzerland created fondue and I fell in love even more. This creamy, melted cheese is served in a pot and used for dipping breads and meats. It was created in the 1930’s to encourage people to eat more cheese. I think they accomplished their goal.
This is just a handful of food for your to try in your travels. I kept on the safe side with these recommendations. There is a good chance that you may have even had some of these already. I still encourage you to try the traditional version in your travels- they will present you with a much different flavor than you're used to.