Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you where you are from:Spanish cuisine as part of national culture

Abstract

The article deals with the peculiarities of national cuisine, which is a part of the cultural, historical and public heritage of Spain. According to UNESCO, the Mediterranean diet, which is the basis of Spanish gastronomy, was listed in the world’s intangible heritage of mankind. Special attention is paid to traditional dishes of various autonomous communities, in which their traditions and customs are preserved. The article lists the main dishes of national cuisine, which are widely known far beyond Spain, and explains the origin of their names. Knowledge of the traditions of the national cuisine is a manifestation of respect for the country and its people, the desire to better study its history and understand the features of the national character.