Autumn has arrived in San Pedro and with the fall of temperatures and the first rainy days, one of the most popular and beloved foods for the Spanish at this time of year are ‘churros’.
A Spanish sweet specialty, the recipe includes flour, water and salt and is a traditional food taken either for breakfast (especially on Sunday mornings), or for ‘meriendas’ as an afternoon snack, and is usually served with either a hot chocolate or milky coffee. Churros are especially popular during ‘fiestas’ or for night partying before returning home in the early hours of the morning.
History is divided on its origin in Spain, but it probably dates back to the 19th century and was brought by Portuguese sailors who discovered a similar food in Northern China. Spain has put its own spin on it by passing the mix through a star shaped piping bag, giving its signature ridges, although in some other parts of Spain like for example Madrid, it just has a regular tube-like appearance.
Churros, whether straight or spiral-shaped, have a sweet crusty outer layer and are sprinkled with sugar, typically served with a thick but smooth delicious hot chocolate (so rich that one cup is sometimes enough between two to share). There are also other variations, called ‘porras’ and also churros are named differently in other areas like in Seville they are known as ‘calientes’ or ‘calentitos de rueda’.
If you visited San Pedro’s recent feria, which is one of the best places to enjoy this typical Spanish treat, you probably saw plenty of stalls selling churros at very affordable prices, and this is a great way to end the night after enjoying all the fairground attractions and events.
Here are some of the best ‘churrerías’ or cafeterias where you can enjoy this tasty and delicious treat in San Pedro’s town centre:
Churreria San PedroCalle Fuente Nueva, corner with C/ Diego Piña
Churreria Zaores
Calle San Miguel, 17 (in front of small Maskom supermarket)
Café Marey Churreria
Calle Federico García Lorca (Next to Rest. La Culinaria)
Bar Cafetería Iñaki
C/ Pepe Osorio, 44 corner with C/ Cordoba