One of the best reasons to go to the Basque Country for the holidays is the local food! I have prepared a list of Basque specialties that are really worth a try, so grab your fork!
(Note: The “x” in Basque is pronounced “ch”, you will need it to read the name of most dishes.)
1) Ttoro
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Ttoro is nicknamed the “fisherman’s pot.” And rightly so!
This dish is a big fish and shellfish soup in which you will find: hake, langoustines, mussels, garlic, onion and of course Espelette pepper.
2) Marmitako
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Marmitako is also a Basque soup.
The main ingredients are tuna, potatoes, and chili pepper, to spice it up.
3) Axoa
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This delicious dish has a festival entirely dedicated to it, in Espelette, in June.
Axoa is basically minced meat (often veal, sometimes mixed with lamb) with chili pepper.
It is usually served with delicious, tender potatoes.
4) Muxu
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Muxu is a dessert or a delicacy, it is an almond macaron.
The word “muxu” in Basque means “kiss.”
5) Kanouga
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Kanouga is a delicacy that is to be devoured without moderation.
Caramel, chocolate, coffee, whipped cream and hazelnuts, brought together in a single square of pleasure!
6) Piperade
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A classic delight!
Piperade contains onions, tomatoes, chili peppers, garlic, and olive oil.
It is usually served with basquaise chicken (another local specialty), eggs, omelet and ham.
7) Basquaise Chicken
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Basquaise chicken is, as its name suggests, pieces of chicken marinated in piperade.
The meat and vegetables are tender and tasty.
8) Xipirons
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Xipirons are calamari cooked and grilled a la plancha. They are served with rice, onions, tomato, hot sauce and Espelette pepper.
A must in the Basque Country.
9) Bayonne Ham
It does not actually come from Bayonne, but from the Ossau and Aspe valleys (PDO).
Since 1462, Bayonne has celebrated a ham fair in April. You should absolutely go and try the different sorts of ham!
10) Ardi-gasna goat cheese
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In my opinion, it is the best cheese in the Basque Country.
It is a raw milk goat cheese, which is eaten with fresh bread, black cherry jam or Espelette pepper jelly.
11) Pettanmamia
How about a delicious apple, cooked with curd, and black cherry jam?
That’s exactly what Pettanmamia is.
12) Txangurro
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Txangurro is a spider crab.
It is then stuffed with onions, carrots and leeks.
A true delight.
13) Zikiro
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Zikiro is a barbecued whole lamb.
It is commonly served with flageolets, but can also be served with piperade.
14) Pantxeta
Pantxeta is a traditional Basque sausage made of either sheep or lamb.
This specialty is actually quite uncommon, if you find some somewhere, I strongly advise you to try it out.
15) Txuleta
Txuleta means “cutlet” or “steak” in Basque. It is actually a delicious prime rib, cooked on the barbecue’s embers or a la plancha.
This dish is especially popular in Spain, with a festival held in its honor every year in Tolosa.
16) Xistora
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Xistora is another Basque sausage, usually made out of minced pork or a mixture of pork and beef.
Its particularity is that it is spiced with garlic, salt and chilli.
17) Lukinke
Lukinke is a spicy Basque dry sausage, which can be enjoyed without accompaniment or used to season a soup.
18) Kintoa
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Kintoa ham is a strong part of the Basque heritage, it comes from a breed of pig called “Pie noire du Pays Basque.”
This species nearly disappeared in the 1890s.
Kintoa pork therefore has a PDO.
19) Taloa
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Taloa, or taloak as a plural, is a corn flour pancake.
It is served with different toppings such as lomo, ventrèche, xistora or goat cheese.
It’s a kind of Basque street-food which is easy to eat on the go and truly delicious.
20) Basque Cake (or Etxeko Bixkotxa)
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Undoubtedly the most famous dessert in the Basque Country, its reputation does not lie.
It is a round cake, wrapped in a thin and crispy biscuit, stuffed with pastry cream, almond cream or even black cherry jam.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
