Fried eggplant is probably one of the most recognizable snacks in Cordoban’s cookbook. It doesn’t appear in old cookbooks with the same solemnity as other dishes, but it has been part of the city’s taste memory for generations. It’s a … recipe of Arabic origin that Cordoba adopted naturallybecause it is a simple product that fries quickly and has a final sweet touch that is essential today. A whole tradition was born around this mixture of simplicity and balance that the Cordovan people feel is their own.
Its success lies in the apparent ease of the dish, which in reality hides a technique that not everyone has mastered. Getting an eggplant, so prone to absorbing oil, to become light, crispy and creamy inside is a daily challenge in professional and home kitchens. Each tavern defends its method: some opt for a thick cut which retains the juiciness; others prefer thin sheets reminiscent of light frying; Some use salt to dehydrate the vegetables beforehand, others rely on very fine flours which provide texture without taking away their softness. And the eternal discussion always appears. Which honey is best to drink? Should you add salmorejo? In strips or sheets?
The Cordoba hotel industry and its different versions
This dish, which many consider “welcome” when visitors arrive, is found on almost every menu in the city. And now another major protagonist appears: the Cordoba hotel industry. Century-old taverns coexist with modern bars and restaurants that reinterpret traditional recipes. Despite developments in contemporary cuisine, fried eggplants continue to occupy a privileged placesymbol of a gastronomy that evolves without losing its roots.
Fried eggplant at Taberna San Miguel “Casa El Pisto” (Cordoba)
We asked in the street: where do you eat the best fried eggplants in Córdoba?
With this idea in mind, and taking advantage of the vitality of the center of Córdoba at that time, we went to directly question the citizens. Without digital surveys or prior filters: just improvised conversations, spontaneous responses and opinions that emerge in the middle of the daily rhythm of the city. It was enough to stop near a square, wait for a red light or approach a terrace for someone to defend their favorite tavern. The passion with which many responded made one thing clear: Everyone has “their place” and defends it within the framework of their history.
The responses were as diverse as the gastronomic offer of the historic center itself. Some talked about tradition, others about texture, still others about the exact amount of honey. And many simply remembered the “old ones”, the ones they had been trying since they were little.
The bars and taverns most mentioned by the inhabitants of Córdoba
After a morning walk listening to those who roamed the center, these were the most repeated recommendations. A list which is not intended to be a professional ranking or an exclusive selection, but rather a reflection of popular taste.
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Society Platero María Auxiliadora
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El Pisto House
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Zebu
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Quini’s little girl
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Gongora Tavern
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Mosque wine estates
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Tavern La Montillana
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Restaurant Casa Palacio Bandolero
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El Blason Restaurant
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Bar Rafalete (in the Arcángel shopping center)
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Rubio House
A popular map to continue visiting Córdoba
Fried eggplant at Bodegas Mezquita (Córdoba)
In this new opus of “A pie de calle”, the result is a spontaneous menu that unites neighborhoods, generations and cooking styles. There is no unanimity, and maybe that’s what’s funny, but there is a general consensus: lFried eggplants continue to be an emblem of Córdoba that invites you to explore the city with great appetite. and curiosity. And, according to its inhabitants, Córdoba has more than one open door to enjoy it as they deserve.
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