12. Bacalao
Bacalao: Best served with pil-pil sauce.
Grey World, flickr, creative commons
A prized dish in Spain, bacalao, or salted cod, was brought back by Spanish fisherman from as far afield as Norway and Newfoundland -- the fish not being found in local waters; it was salted to preserve it on the journey.
It has to be left to soak in water for at least 24 hours to remove all but the slightest tang of salt.
Bacalao is served in all manner of dishes; one of the most popular is with pil-pil sauce, made of olive oil garlic and the juice of the fish, and typical in the Basque Country.
Where to try? Bar Gatz, Bilbao
Gatz, Calle Santa Maria 10, Bilbao Spain;