After living in Spain for 10+ years, there’s only one way I know how to eat like a local…and that’s by eating at a local’s home! 😜 I’m talking about those traditional homemade dishes they love…the ones they prepare during family gatherings, the ones that have been passed down over generations. That’s the only way (in my opinion) to truly experience traditional Spanish cuisine.
You can’t visit Sanlúcar without eating Langostinos! 🦐
I remember the first time my suegra (mother-in-law) prepared arroz a la marinera for me; it was nothing like the famed ‘paellas’ I thought all Spaniards ate. She also had to teach me ‘the right way’ to eat acedías, a typical fish in the area, which requires a special technique to separate the bones from the meat. Having these experiences (and many more) would have been impossible without my personal connection to a local family through my marriage to a Spaniard.
How to eat at a local’s home in Spain
So the question is, how can a tourist achieve a similar experience with traditional Spanish cuisine? Convincing a local to invite you into their home to cook for you might sound like an impossible feat, but to my surprise, there’s actually a platform that does exactly this. This mission of Sazón is to connect local cooks with travelers; to create an authentic and unique experience for tourists who want to know Spain on a deeper level.
So how does it work?
- You select a dining experience based on your location and available dates
- Your host will connect with you to confirm the details
- Then you will arrive at your hosts’ home and enjoy a home cooked meal!
Payment and important information about your reservation will be facilitated through Sazón. Once reserved, all you’ve got to do is show up!
My friends loved our experience with Sazón
Experiencing Spanish cuisine through Sazón
I was approached by the team at Sazón and offered the opportunity to try out one of their dining experiences right here in Sanlúcar. I chose to eat with Auro; her home is lovely and the menu she offers features traditional dishes near and dear to every Sanluqueño’s heart. I invited a few American friends living in the area who haven’t had the chance to experience authentic local cuisine during their time here.
Auro explaining how her husband had caught the seafood we were eating
As soon as we walked through the door to Auro’s home we felt welcomed; she greeted us with enthusiasm and brought us to a beautifully set table. No detail was overlooked— she even had lemon wipes prepared for us to clean our hands after eating delicious langostinos (tiger prawns)! We enjoyed learning about Auro’s family and the significance of the dishes she prepared for us; they had been passed down over the years and she prepared them the same way her grandmother used to. We laughed together as she showed us how to eat raya a la naranja (stingray) and toasted to the delectable dessert she prepared for us with a glass of sweet wine (fermented just 2 blocks away).
An unexpected bonus was Auro’s husband being a fisherman; all of the seafood and shellfish we ate was literally fresh off the boat…it doesn’t get better than that! 🙌
Each dish had a story and was made with care
Overall, the experience was quite unique and special. We are so grateful to Auro for opening her home to us, and to Sazón for making this experience possible. I highly recommend checking out their website the next time you visit Spain; it will truly be an unforgettable experience!
Thanks to Auro for being such a great hostess!
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