HOW TO PREPARE THE GENUINE GAZPACHO?
First of all, what is gazpacho? A cold soup that contains fresh vegetables. Originally from the south of Spain – specifically Andalusia region - gazpacho is a drink or a soup which is consumed in summer all around Spain. You can buy the ready- to- serve gazpacho in supermarkets (yep, also in Slovak supermarkets ), or prepare it yourself. It’s very easy! We will show you how to prepare the genuine gazpacho .
First of all, what is gazpacho? A cold soup that contains fresh vegetables. Originally from the south of Spain – specifically Andalusia region - gazpacho is a drink or a soup which is consumed in summer all around Spain.
Olive oil, bread, vinegar, water, cucumber, green pepper, onion, garlic, salt and the most important ingredient for delicious gazpacho is fresh tomato. You can also add almonds, lemon, or even watermelon.
Firstly, it is interesting that the original gazpacho did not contain tomatoes at all, only water, oil or vinegar. Sometimes, garlic and almonds were added.
Secondly, gazpacho is not only a drink that reminds us of summer time, festive season spent with our family, or refreshment which we drink with our friends on hot summer days. In the past, gazpacho was the drink of the poor people. The Andalusian farmers cultivated tomatoes in large quantities, but also grew many other plants. Remember that Andalusia is the region located at the very south of Spain, typical of beautiful beaches,’pescaitos’ (small fried fish) and an easy – going way of life.
Thirdly, the most interesting fact is that we don’t even know the origin of the word ‘gazpacho’. Actually, every dictionary will provide you with a different etymology of the word, so it is still a great mystery.
However, let’s talk about what we know about gazpacho. As mentioned above, it is a delicious dish, natural source of vitamins C, E and A, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium etc. , and contains many antioxidants.
We know that gazpacho has many varieties based on the original recipe, but then you can create a lot of versions – depending on ingredients that you add. However, the best gazpacho is the genuine, original, Spanish one.
In Pedro Almodóvar’s movie "Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios" (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown), gazpacho plays an important role in the movie. Similarly, Joaquín Sabina sings about gazpacho in his song "Qué hermosas eran" (How beautiful they were).
In the animated sitcom The Simpsons , there is an episode where Lisa, the middle child of the Simpson family, offers this delicious recipe as a vegetarian alternative to barbecue.
Try it yourself! Go to a supermarket, buy the ingredients, watch our video and enjoy this delicious dish during hot summer days! And, of course, please send us your photo, so we can see how you like gazpacho (and summer)!