Asturias, a small region located in the northwest of Spain, has long been known as a gastronomic paradise, at least for Spaniards. Known for its heavy, meat-centric cuisine that is partially a result of the area’s mountainous terrain and cool, wet climate, there are plenty of dishes that you have to try here. The number one must-try from Asturias is a meat-centric dish that will fill you up like nothing else: the cachopo.
What It Is
The base of a cachopo is meat, meat, and a little bit more meat. In traditional versions of the dish, ham is placed between two thin veal fillets along with a mild, white cheese that is usually sourced from the region. The ham used in the dish can either be regular ham or any one of the number of Spanish-cured hams, such as Iberico or Serrano.
A True Delicacy
The dish is then rolled in egg and breadcrumbs and deep-fried until cooked, resulting in a cheesy, gooey, concoction that will leave you in amazement.
Traditionally served with fried potatoes, you will often find cachopos topped with peppers, mushrooms, or onions to give a little bit of extra flavor to this deep-fried delight. They might not be the healthiest dish on Earth, but this Asturian classic sure is good. Be sure to try it if you get the chance!
