Isaac alberola

The origin: Dare to discover the history of paella

Paella emerged as a typical dish in the most rural areas of Valencia in the 15th and 16th centuries, where peasants appreciated being able to prepare a meal quickly and easily, with the ingredients that the countryside provided them. They took the opportunity to eat it in the afternoon, at the end of their day in the field.

The ingredients used in its origins were: birds, hare (or field rabbit), fresh vegetables, saffron, olive oil, water and, of course, rice. It was not just these ingredients that gave them the flavor that hundreds of years later has since become so popular, the fact that they cooked it over low heat with firewood from the branches of the trees. orange trees, gave it a very characteristic smell and taste. . . .

paella history

There is a moving history of the War of Independence and paella. And there was a French general who was so in love with paella that he made a deal with a woman: for every different plate of paella the woman brought him, he freed a prisoner. So the woman let her imagination run wild and every day she made him a different paella. It is said that he thus succeeded in freeing 176 prisoners.

There are many theories surrounding the word "paella". The first is that it comes from Latin and another very raw is that it comes from the Arabic word "baqiyah". It is very possible that this second option is the right one, since the rice was brought by the páramos (inhabitants of North Africa) to Spain in the 8th century.

Trying another of the possible origins of his name, we find a very romantic option, in which it is said that a man has prepared a paella for his girlfriend to win her affection. Thus, the name of the paella would be an abbreviation of "for her" or "for her".

Originally, the peasants used chicken, rabbit, duck, peppers, beans, zucchini, onions and even the snails they caught in their fields. All these ingredients have been given a final touch by adding a few branches of saffron to give more flavor and aroma.

Whatever ingredients are chosen for paella, there are those who prefer it drier, in broth, seafood, meat or as a mixture. It can be made of so many flavors ...