Are You Ready For Fideuà, Paella’s Lesser Known Sister?
By Max Milano (Travel Writer & Photographer)
When one thinks of Spain, the image of a steaming paella often dances through our collective minds. It's practically a culinary postcard from España—a cliché. But hold onto your forks! Upon touching down in Valencia, some of you might be shocked to discover that what we've been calling Paella all this time is actually called "Arroz a la Marinera"—a delightful mix of rice, saffron, and seafood. But how about the "real" Valencian paella? Well, that's a different dish, loaded with rabbit and snails and eaten only during the day, ideally on or near the beach, surrounded by family. Oh, and the rice? It must be super al dente. Culture shock. I know.
A Rabbit Hole of Rice Dishes
Stepping into a traditional Valencian arroceria is like diving into a (cough, cough) rabbit hole of rice dishes. It's a smorgasbord of options that will leave your mouth watering and your mind boggled.
Here are the main varieties:
Traditional Valencian Rabbit and Snail Paella: The OG of paellas, invented by rice farmers in the city's lagoons. Rabbits and snails abounded there, so they went into the rice, and a classic Valencian dish was born.
The Better Known Seafood Combinations Rices: From prawns to clams, and my favorite, the black rice made with squid ink. A deep taste of the sea that leaves your lips black.
The Meat Lover's Rices: Valencia rices don't limit themselves to seafood and rabbit. There's the classic morcilla-laden baked rice. A hearty and meaty dish that hugs the soul while increasing the waistline.
Valencian arrocerias are social places where local families gather in large groups to share these large rice dishes during the day, never at night, and certainly never alone. Eeating paella solo and at night in Valencia? That's a faux pas that will forever label you as a guiri.
Fideuà: The Underdog
Let's talk about Paella's lesser-known but equally delicious sister, Fideuà. If Paella is the rock star, Fideuà is the indie band with a cult following. This dish is virtually unknown outside of Spain and deserves its moment in the spotlight.
What is Fideuà?
Fideuà is essentially Paella's quirky sibling. Instead of rice, it's made with short, thin noodles that soak up the rich seafood broth like a sponge. Think of it as a Spanish noodle stir-fry but elevated to gourmet status. It's got all the same flavors you love in Paella, sorry, Arroz a la Marinera, I.E., saffron, seafood, and a burst of sunshine in every bite—but with a delightful noodle twist.
The History of Fideuà
The origins of Fideuà are as colorful as the dish itself. Legend has it that it was born out of necessity on a fishing boat in Gandia port. The fishermen, tired of their seafood and rice lunches being eaten by their greedy captain, rebelled and swapped rice for noodles, claiming that they'd forgotten to bring rice (perhaps the captain was no fan of noodles) and, voila! Fideuà was born, and the rest is delicious history.
The Gandia Fideuà Festival
Every year, the town of Gandia celebrates this noodle nirvana with the Fideuà Festival. It's a culinary showdown where chefs from all over the local area compete to create the best Fideuà. Imagine the aroma of saffron and seafood filling the air as locals and visitors dig into this savory delight. It's a fiesta you won't want to miss!
Are You Team Fideuà or Team Arroz?
Whichever team you choose, one thing is sure: Valencia has a dish that will make your taste buds dance happily. So, next time you find yourself in this sunny Spanish region, why not try both and decide for yourself? After all, variety is the spice of life—or, in this case, the saffron of life!
The Final Bite
Ultimately, whether you're indulging in the traditional Valencian Paella or savoring the noodly goodness of Fideuà, the essence of Valencian cuisine is all about celebration. It's about gathering with family and friends, sharing stories, and making memories over a delicious meal. So, dig in, explore, and let the flavors of Valencia take you on a culinary adventure you'll never forget.
Stay tuned to GuiriGuru for more Spain explorations and expat tips.
Max Milano is a travel writer and photographer based in Los Angeles, California, and Valencia, Spain. His latest photography book, Mexico City Noir, Life Under The Volcanoes, is Available on Amazon. Bookings and Prints of his photographs are available at MaxMilanoPix.