Cuisine in Andorra

Due to the fact that Andorra is sandwiched between France and Spain, Andorran cuisine is mainly Catalan. The cuisine in Andorra also combines with French and Italian cuisine. Pasta, meat, fish and vegetables are the main ingredients for every meal. In the northern region of Andorra the French and Italian cuisine is more popular and its main characteristics are the ample use of pasta, cheese, bread and fish; while in the southern region Catalan cuisine influences were adapted. Local dishes include trinxat made of Bacon, cabbage and potatoes; cunillo which is rabbit stewed in tomato sauce; xai which is actually roasted Lamb; coques are flavored flat cakes and truites de carreroles which is actually a mushroom omelet. Cuisine in Andorra also include sausages, cheese, and a large variety of pork and ham dishes and a variety of vegetables.

        Pa amb tomàquet - Literally: bread with tomato (Cuisine of Catalonia)

The cuisine in Andorra uses elements from various cooking traditions borrowed from their neighbors and developed from their own traditional dishes. While there are no specific or unique preparation methods for Andorran cooking, we should point out that attention to detail is important in the cuisine in Andorra. Using the right amount of spices for example is essential – either for garnishing or for coloring the dish. The vast range of vegetables and cereals found in Andorra is also noticed in the delicious dishes belonging to cuisine in Andorra. The presentation of the dish is also important. Each traditional dish has a special cooking method, which is more or less same in all of Andorra’s regions. Meat is one of the main ingredients of most of the

dishes in Andorra and smoked hams are often parts of delicious dishes.

Andorran people celebrate a large number of festivals and national holidays, which involve culinary traditions. The national day of Andorra is celebrated on the 8th of September. Other national holidays are:

Andorra Holiday Calendar 2013

January 2013 1  Tuesday                                                        New Year's Day
 6 Sunday                                                                    Epiphany
March 2013 14 Thursday                                                      Constitution Day
29 Friday                                                                        Good Friday
May 2013 1 Wednesday                                                Labour Day
June 2013 24 Monday                                                     St John's Day
August 2013 15 Thursday                                             Assumption
September 2013 8 Sunday                                              National Day
November 2013 1 Friday                                                 All Saints' Day
4 Monday                                                                        St Charles Day
            December 2013 8 Sunday                                                  Immaculate Conception
25 Wednesday                                                               Christmas Day