Creating a Spanish Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board is a great way to share Spain’s amazing foods with your friends and family. A well-crafted board can serve as a centerpiece for gatherings, offering a little something for everyone. Be sure to select the best quality artisan ingredients from Spain, you will taste the difference! Here’s a step-by-step guide to building a charcuterie board that showcases the best of Spanish cuisine.

1. Selecting the Meats

Spain is famous for incredible cured meats. Here are some essential selections:

• Jamón Ibérico: This is the crown jewel of Spanish hams. Made from the famous black hooved pigs native to Spain, it has a rich, nutty flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. For the ultimate ham experience, serve slices of pasture raised, acorn-fed Jamón Ibérico de Bellota ('bellota' means acorn in Spanish).
• Jamón Serrano: Spain’s most popular cured ham, Serrano has a full flavor and firm texture.
• Chorizo: A delicious, aged sausage flavored with Spain’s Pimentón de La Vera smoked paprika, chorizo adds a robust, smoky taste to your board. Tip: Spanish cured chorizo is completely different than Mexican chorizo, which is a spicy cooking chorizo.
• Lomo Embuchado: A whole cured pork loin seasoned with garlic and paprika then cured for up to three months, sliced lomo is a lean, tender and flavorful option.

2. Choosing the Spanish Cheeses

Spain is the land of over 200 artisan cheeses! From the aged sheep’s milk cheeses of La Mancha to the rich cow’s milk cheeses of Galicia, your charcuterie board can feature a style for any taste:

• Manchego: Spain’s iconic cheese, Manchego is a firm sheep’s milk cheese with a complex, nutty flavor and varying levels of sharpness depending on how it is aged. Beware of ersatz grocery store Manchego! We work with small producers in La Mancha to provide authentic aged Manchego cheese - you can taste the difference.
• Tetilla: This soft, creamy cheese from Galicia has a richness you will love. Tetilla has a famous shape that is sure to start a conversation!
• Idiazábal: A smoked sheep’s milk cheese from the Basque Country, Idiazábal has a semi-firm texture and a rich, nutty flavor.
• Ibérico: This flavorful yet approachable cheese is a blend of cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milks. Ibérico has a semi-soft texture that is easy to slice and serve.
• Cheese samplers: A sampler of Spanish cheeses is an easy way to offer a variety of cheeses for your charcuterie board.

3. Adding the Accompaniments

To balance the rich flavors of the meats and cheeses, include a variety of accompaniments:

• Olives: Spanish olives, such as Manzanilla, Gordal or Arbequina, provide a crisp, briny contrast to the other elements.
• Marcona almonds: These rich, buttery almonds are a perfect crunchy addition.
• Piquillo peppers: Pimientos del Piquillo are fire-roasted peppers with a sweet, smoky taste and firm bite, packed in their own juice. They provide a burst of bright red color to your board. Be sure to serve authentic Spanish piquillo peppers, the grocery store versions are flavorless by comparison.
• Guindilla peppers: These green peppers are famous in the Basque region. Packed in vinegar, they have a tart flavor, delicate crunch and pleasant spiciness.
• Membrillo quince preserve: This mildly sweet, fruity preserve is easy to cut into slices, and pairs beautifully with Manchego cheese. Quince fruit is a cousin to the apple.

4. Incorporating Bread and Crackers

Bread and crackers are essential for a charcuterie board, offering a base for the meats and cheeses:

• Rustic bread: Slices of a freshly baked crusty bread like a Barra Española from Galicia are the perfect pairing for sliced jamón and cheeses.
• Crackers: Choose plain or lightly seasoned crackers to complement the flavors without overpowering them.

5. Presenting the Board

Have fun building your charcuterie board by showcasing the different flavors and textures of Spanish foods. Here are some tips:

• Arrange the meats and cheeses: Place slices of jamón, chorizo and cheese in separate sections, allowing guests to easily identify and choose their favorites.
• Add color and texture: Use small bowls or cazuela dishes for olives and almonds, and scatter the peppers and slices of membrillo quince preserve around the board.
• Garnish: Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can add a touch of color and fragrance.

6. Pairing with Drinks

To complete the experience, pair your charcuterie board with Spanish beverages:

• Wine: A robust red wine like Rioja or a crisp white like Albariño can enhance the flavors of the board.
• Cava: This sparkling wine from Catalonia is a festive choice.
• Sangría: This bright, refreshing wine cocktail is always a favorite.

Creating an impressive charcuterie board is a great way to share Spain’s amazing foods to your friends and family. Your board will not only look beautiful but will serve as a culinary tour of Spanish cuisine. A charcuterie board is easy to make and perfect for casual gatherings.

¡Buen provecho!

Jonathan Harris – La Tienda

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