Pick your pickles

When visiting Barcelona, many people discover that pickled foods are an important part of local cuisine. Known as encurtits in Catalan, these preserved vegetables are often served as tapas, snacks, or accompaniments to meals and make an excellent pairing for vermouth. Some of the most common pickles include olives, sometimes in banderillas or gildas (toothpicks with different pickles). One popular tradition is enjoying a small dish of mixed pickles alongside wine or then again, vermouth at any local bar. The combination of salty, tangy, and slightly sour flavors pairs perfectly with salty anchovie sor crispy chips. Markets throughout Barcelona also offer a wide variety of homemade pickles, reflecting recipes that have been passed down through generations.