A Different Vision of Plastic Arts
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the Prado Museum in Madrid D.F. and they allowed me free entry. Well, not entirely free, since as a Catalan taxpayer I had already paid the entrance with my taxes until the end of humanity. But you get my point, I didn’t have to shell out a single euro right away to access it. Although I am not a big fan of fine arts and consider them to be the poor relative of culture, I recognize the value and beauty of a masterpiece. On the few occasions that I have visited the Prado, I have always enjoyed the time that I have spent in the room of Goya’s black paintings, where my favorite painting is located.
Goya’s Most Famous Painting
The painting I am referring to is well known and depicts a metaphysical dog swimming in the mud and looking up at the sky. There’s always an uncertainty as to whether he’s pulling through or just going under. This work is an allegorical representation of Catalan cuisine, although it could also be a soulful self-portrait of the Aragonese painter himself. When Goya painted this image on the walls of the Quinta del Sordo, he was in a moment of great discontent with the world around him. It is a work that captivates attention and has been the subject of various analyzes and interpretations.
The Interpretation of the ‘Duel a Garrotades’
Right next to Goya’s painting of the dog, is the impressive work ‘Duel a Garrotades’. In this painting, the curators of the museum note that the protagonists of the scene of violence are two outsiders, since they are not dressed in the Castilian way. This interpretation differs from the theory of the critic Yriarte, who speculated that the characters were Galician. However, today’s experts claim that in Goya’s time, duels to the death were only allowed in assimilated Spain, that is, in the old Crown of Aragon. This information is surprising, since the most well-known interpretation of the painting was that it represented the two Spains, the progressive and the conservative. This narrative has been present for centuries and has influenced the perception of the country’s history.
La Fideuada: A Traditional Dish of Noodles and Fish
Now, leaving aside the plastic arts, I want to talk to you about a traditional dish that has generated a lot of controversy in our Valencian nation: fideuada. It is possible that many of you have never had the opportunity to taste an authentic fideuada, colloquially known as fideuà. Although at some social events you may have tried an indeterminate mass of noodles with different ingredients, this is not the same as an authentic fieduada.
Origin and Ingredients of Fideuada
La fideuada is a traditional dish of noodles and fish originating from Grau de Gandia, in the region of La Safor. It is said to be about a century and a half old. This dish has its roots in fishermen’s cuisine and includes ingredients such as monkfish, prawns, crayfish and a fish broth. The noodles used are thick gauge, number 4, according to the classic measurement. Thick holed noodles, known as pearl noodles, can also be used. In Gandia, there is even a gastronomic association that defends the purity of fideuada and organizes competitions.
La Fideuada and Red Fideus
In Catalonia, there are recipes comparable to fideuada, such as ‘fideus a la marinera’. However, these dishes are variants that use classic ingredients and more raw noodles, more like noodles in a casserole. The authentic fideuada, on the other hand, is a board dish, typical of the Tarragona coast, which stretches from the Garraf to the Ebro Delta. The noodles used in authentic fieduada are more prime, number 2 or even number 0, known as angel hair noodles. Unlike brown noodles, fieduada is not cooked in the oven. This practice is considered inappropriate and is a source of controversy. The noodles of the fideuada are boiled in a quality fish broth and accompanied by authentic aioli. The result is a dish with a distinctive color and an exquisite flavor.
The Authentic Fideuada: An Exciting Moment
Authentic fideuada is a dish that must be tasted with all the importance it deserves. After a short rest, the noodles should be served with the head facing the sky, like Goya’s dog. This moment is exciting and can be accompanied with a stanza of the Santa Espina. If you followed the instructions precisely, I’m sure you’ll become real fudge experts and be able to tell a real fudge from a fake one. This is a matter of patriotic defense and we will not tolerate any kind of false assurance.