Gazpacho | History and recipe

Gazpacho is a cold soup that originated in Andalusia, Spain. It is a refreshing dish that is perfect for hot summer days, and it has become popular around the world. Gazpacho is known for its bright red color and fresh taste, and it is a great vegan option for those who want to enjoy a tasty and healthy meal.

As part of our commitment to doing our bit for the planet and taking our share in combating climate change and its long-term negative effects for all of its habitants, we encourage our clients to have one vegetarian meal during their multi-day guided tour with us. We have selected a place which we believe provides a very good vegetarian option to people.

This initiative is intended to firstly reduce the carbon footprint of each trip and also introduce eating vegetarian as another good and enjoyable alternative to some people and therefore promote reduced meat consumption back at home. Learn more about our sustainability initiatives.

Gazpacho as a vegan option

Gazpacho is an excellent vegan option for those who are looking for a refreshing and healthy meal. It is made with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, and onion, which are blended together to create a smooth and creamy soup. The addition of breadcrumbs gives it a thicker consistency, and the use of olive oil adds healthy fats to the dish.

Gazpacho is also a great source of vitamins and minerals. Tomatoes, for example, are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can help protect against cancer and heart disease. Peppers are high in vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system, while cucumber is low in calories and contains a range of vitamins and minerals.

Being vegetarian or vegan on the Camino can sound a little bit challenging, but with some planning and preparation, it is entirely possible! If you’re interested in vegan and vegetarian options on your Camino, or if you’d like to learn how to order vegan-friendly in Spanish, check our blog post Vegan on the Camino. You’ll find great tips and tricks to make it work for you!

History of Gazpacho

The history of gazpacho can be traced back to ancient Rome, where soldiers used to make a similar dish with bread, water, vinegar, and garlic. When the Moors invaded Spain, they brought with them new ingredients like almonds and olive oil, which were added to the dish. In the 16th century, tomatoes were introduced to Spain from the Americas, and they were soon incorporated into the recipe for gazpacho.

Gazpacho was originally a peasant food, made with stale bread, olive oil, vinegar, and water. Vegetables like peppers, cucumber, and onion were added later, and today there are many variations of gazpacho, each with its own unique flavor.

How to make gazpacho

Making gazpacho is easy, and it requires only a few simple ingredients. To make gazpacho, you will need:

• 1.5 kg ripe red tomato
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 Italian green pepper, about 75 gr.
• 1 Cucumber (optional) of about 100 gr.
• 150 gr. Breadcrumbs
• 125 ml Arbequina or hojiblanca extra virgin olive oil
• 40ml sherry vinegar
• Salt
• Water

Wash the tomatoes well, remove the stem, and cut them into quarters. Peel the cucumber and cut it into pieces. Wash the pepper well, remove the stem and seeds, and chop. Peel the garlic and remove the central bud.

Pour a little water over the breadcrumbs and stir. Leave a few minutes to soak well.

Mix all the ingredients except the oil, vinegar, and water.

Next, add a little vinegar, and while we beat, add the oil little by little, with a thin trickle, so that while it mixes, it emulsifies slightly.

Rectify vinegar and salt.

Serve with chopped bell peppers, cucumber, onion, or toast. Let each diner add the topping or toppings they prefer.

It can be eaten with a spoon or drunk as if it were juice.

Discover Spanish Cuisine for Yourself!

Taste Spanish recipes on-site during your Camino! We have been organising self-guided and guided trips on the Camino since 2007. Our expert team would love to put together a free quote for you, with hand-picked accommodation and services that we trust.

All of our Caminos are organized by real people who will look after you every step of the way. Start your foodie Camino journey today with a quote from the Camino experts.