What is in a Spanish tortilla de patatas?
Potatoes, eggs, olive oil and, the great national argument, onion or no onion. The potatoes are fried slowly in plenty of oil, mixed with beaten egg and turned in the pan with a plate; it can be runny or well done, hot or cold. In Spain a tortilla is this omelette; in Mexico it is a corn flatbread.
The classic tapa: tortilla de patatas
A slice of tortilla de patatas is the classic tapa. Four things make it: potatoes, eggs, oil and — this is the great national argument — onion or no onion. The potatoes are fried slowly in plenty of olive oil, mixed with beaten egg, and turned in the pan with a plate; it can be runny inside or well done, and is eaten hot or cold, at home or at the bar. In a bread roll it is many Spaniards' breakfast.
Note the word: in Spain a tortilla is a potato omelette. In Mexico it is a corn flatbread, and the omelette is tortilla de huevo.
- The tortilla de patatas needs only potatoes, eggs, onion and oil; the onion is optional and a serious debate in Spain.
- A piece of tortilla is a classic tapa; in a bread roll it is the breakfast of many Spaniards.
- In Spain a tortilla is a potato omelette; in Mexico it is a corn flatbread.
Un trozo de tortilla es una tapa clásica.A piece of tortilla is a classic tapa.
La cebolla es opcional, y es un gran debate en España.The onion is optional, and it is a big debate in Spain.
Se come caliente o fría, en casa o en el bar.It is eaten hot or cold, at home or at the bar.