What is the traditional Spanish food?
Hi everybody ! I wanted to know something . What is the traditional Spanish food?( Please add a picture). 
15 Answers
Again at the risk of repeating myself, you can't get more traditional than Paella.
In Mexico, I was always told that it's the national dish of Spain.
Gazpacho is a cold Spanish tomato-based raw vegetable soup, originating in the southern region of Andalusia. Gazpacho is widely consumed throughout Spain, neighboring Portugal (where it is known as gaspacho) and parts of Latin America. Gazpacho is mostly consumed during the summer months, due to its refreshing qualities.
Ingredients and preparation
In Andalusia, most gazpacho recipes typically include stale bread, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, garlic, olive oil, vinegar of wine, and salt. Some may also include onion.
The following is a typical method of preparing gazpacho:
1.The vegetables are washed and the tomatoes, garlic and onions are peeled. 2.All the vegetables and herbs are chopped and put into a large container (alternately, the tomatoes may be puréed in a blender or food processor, pounded with a mortar or strained and de-seeded with a food mill) 3.The soaked bread is then added (optionally) 4.Some of the contents of the container are then blended until liquid, depending on the desired consistency. 5.Chilled water, olive oil, vinegar and salt are then added to taste. 6.The remaining contents of the container are added to the liquid, then briefly puréed until there is some texture remaining for garnish. (optional) 7.Garnishes may be made with fresh bell pepper slices, diced tomatoes, or other fresh ingredients. Traditionally, gazpacho is made by pounding the vegetables using a mortar and pestle. This method is still sometimes favoured as it helps keep the gazpacho cool and avoids the completely smooth consistency, and foam, created by blenders and food processors.
Gazpacho with diced ingredients.In addition to the blended vegetable ingredients, it is also usually accompanied by different garnishes. These include the same vegetables the soup already contains, chopped up, as well as croutons. The garnishes are served separately so the consumer can add them to the soup themselves. When making the salmorejo variety from Cordoba, chopped hard boiled egg and ham (e.g. jamón serrano, jamón ibérico, etc.) will be placed on top. In Extremadura, gazpacho with local ham is called gazpacho extremeño. This time, the ham tends to be added to the soup in the kitchen prior to serving (unlike the other garnishes which are added at the table).
Gazpacho may also be served with ice cubes if it has not had enough time to chill before serving.
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazpacho)
Tortilla de patatas o españoal-Potato omelet or Spanish
How about Horchata de Almendra (it's a drink)...
Here's a link to the recipe... link text
This wikipedia page is about Spanish cuisine
gambas al ajillo, calamares en su tinta & calamares fritos
We can't possibly have a list of traditional Spanish foods without including Flan! One of the most popular desserts in Spain as well as Latin America.
On recent holiday on the Spanish island of Mallorca, we made a traditional meal called " pam b oli ".
You start a slice of Mallorcan bread, which is quite "hard". You then take a soft tomato and squish it all over the bread until it soaks in.on a little salt, and a little olive oil. Then spread it out with your finger ( my sons favourite part )
This is a base to have on its own, or with a slice of Serrano ham, or local cheese, or whatever you wish.
Apparently, this has been a staple part of the Mallorcan diet for centuries. Its very simple, and very good.
When I lived in Madrid with a Spanish family, the kids' favorite dish was croquetas. I saw them on menus in a lot of restaurants too. They're pretty good. Now I miss them... :( (and of course paella is a really popular/traditional dish)
Ceviche is very traditional in Peru.
Its main ingredients are fresh fish, lemon, onions, garlic and rocoto.
Side: Corn, Sweet Potatoes, lettuce ...
Arepa es muy deliciosa. It is sold at road side stands throughout the Dominican Republic. I hear that it is also popular in other Latin American countries.
It is basically a corn bread pudding.
In Costa Rica the "Casado" is a very traditional lunch dish - Photo is "casado con pollo en salsa". It can come with any meat they are serving.
Thanks to all of you for those interesting and Delicious answers, I can't wait to eat all this food at once , can anyone post some of this food into on an E-Mail to me ? I really want to know how would it test like ? mmm............ yum yum. 
Tamal de maiz
In English we say tamale for one but in Spanish one is tamal
![alt_text] (path/to/Tamal de maiz.jpg)
In Costa Rica Gallo pinto is the traditional breakfast dish served alone or with whatever you like.
