International Paella Day is celebrated on September 20, 2024 to honour the iconic Spanish dish, paella, which originated from the region of Valencia.
The day showcases the culinary traditions and cultural significance of this rice-based dish, featuring a variety of ingredients such as saffron, vegetables, and different types of meat or seafood.
As paella has become a global symbol of Spanish gastronomy, with chefs and food enthusiasts worldwide celebrating by cooking and sharing different styles of the dish.
The History
The earliest version of paella was created by farmers in the fields of Valencia. The dish was cooked over an open fire in a large, shallow pan called a “paellera,” which gave the dish its name. Originally, paella was a humble dish made from local ingredients like rice, vegetables. It sometimes included snails or rabbit, which were common in the area.
As Spain’s coastal cities grew and seafood became more accessible, new variations of the dish developed, most notably paella de marisco (seafood paella). This version included fish, shrimp, mussels, and other seafood and became popular along the Mediterranean coast.
While the dish has many variations, the essentials remain the same: rice, saffron, olive oil, and the use of the “paellera” pan to create a crispy layer of rice at the bottom, known as socarrat, which is highly prized.
Dubai is known for its array of fine-dining havens where this dish is crafted to perfection.
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