Did you know that October 12th is the National Day of Spain? This holiday celebrates the culture and cuisine of Spain. It is a time to reflect on the many contributions that Spain has made to the world. From its food to its art, there is much to celebrate on the National Day of Spain! In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what makes this country so special. We'll also discuss some of the traditional foods and decorations associated with this holiday.

National Day of Spain

The National Day of Spain is a national holiday that is celebrated on October 12th. This date commemorates the day when Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. National Day of Spain is also known as "Día de la Raza" or "Day of the Race".

This holiday is celebrated throughout Spain with many different events and activities. In Madrid, the capital city, there are large parades and festivals. Other cities also have their celebrations. National Day of Spain is a day to celebrate Spanish culture and heritage. It is also a day to remember the contributions that Christopher Columbus made to the world.

Origin and History

Spain's National Day, also known as Dia de Nacionalidad Española, is celebrated on October 12th. This date commemorates the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492. It is a public holiday in Spain and many Spanish-speaking countries.

The first recorded celebration of this day took place in Madrid in 1788. However, it was not until 1931 that it was declared a national holiday by the Spanish government.

Since then, Dia de Nacionalidad Española has been celebrated with parades, concerts and other events across Spain and in Spanish-speaking countries around the world. In recent years, celebrations have also been held in cities with large Spanish-speaking populations, such as New York and London.

Traditions of the National Day of Spain

Traditional foods eaten on this day include paella, a dish made with rice, chicken, seafood, and vegetables; gazpacho, a cold soup made with tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers; jamón ibérico, a type of cured ham; churros, fried pastry dough dipped in chocolate; and tortilla de patatas, a potato omelet.

In addition to these traditional dishes, many Spaniards also enjoy drinking cava, sparkling wine or eating chocolates on this holiday.

Here are some of the traditional decorations for Spain's National Day:

-The Spanish flag is flown from public buildings and private homes.

-National Day posters and banners are hung in the streets and squares.

-Spanish flags are draped from balconies and windows.

-Portraits of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Christopher Columbus, and other Spanish heroes are displayed.

-The national anthem, "Marcha Real", is played on radio and television.

-In Madrid, a military parade is held in the Puerta del Sol square.

-Fireworks displays are held in many towns and cities across Spain.

Seafood Paella Recipe

Ingredients:

-Two tablespoons of olive oil

-One green bell pepper, diced

-One red onion, diced

-Three cloves of garlic, minced

-One teaspoon of smoked paprika

-One teaspoon of ground cumin

-One teaspoon of turmeric

-Salt and Pepper

-1.5 cups of short-grained rice

-Four cups of chicken broth

-One (14. oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained

-One pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined

-One pound of mussels, scrubbed and debearded

-One pound of scallops

Instructions:

-Over medium heat, warm the olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan.

-Add the bell pepper, onion, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, and turmeric. Serve with a sprinkle of salt and black pepper to taste.

-Stir in the rice and cook for about a minute to toast.

-Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil.

-Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and soft, over low heat.

-Stir in the shrimp, mussels, and scallops. Cook for about five minutes more, or until the seafood is cooked through.

-Remove from the heat and let rest for about five minutes before serving. Serve with lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy!

Spanish Tortilla with Ham

Ingredients:

- potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

- olive oil

- salt

- pepper

- onions, peeled and thinly sliced

- garlic cloves, minced

- ham, diced

- eggs, beaten

- parsley, chopped

Instructions:

- Set the oven temperature at 375 degrees F. (190 degrees C).

- In a large cooking pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the potatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the potatoes are tender and golden brown.

- Add the onions, garlic, and ham to the pan. Cook for about five minutes more, until the onions are soft.

- Pour the beaten eggs into the pan, and sprinkle with parsley. Cook for about five minutes more, until the bottom of the tortilla is set and golden brown.

- Place the pan in the oven, and bake for about ten minutes, until the top is firm and golden brown.

- Serve hot or cold. Enjoy!

Spain's National Day is a festive occasion that is celebrated with traditional food, drink, and decorations. If you're looking to celebrate in style, be sure to try some of the recipes included here. And don't forget to enjoy the cava and chocolates! Salud!