Everyone who visits the Basque Country for its gastronomy wants to try pintxos. Everyone. These small skewered bites are an irresistible draw for food lovers. And rightly so. There are dozens, maybe even hundreds, of types of pintxos, so it would be a shame not to taste the most famous and celebrated Basque pintxo, one of the few that has its own name: pintxo Gilda.
Pintxo Gilda
Recipe for Pintxo Gilda
Gilda is a small skewer made from just three ingredients. These are:
- olives (usually green, most often Manzanilla)
- pickled peppers (usually guindillas)
- anchovies (most often from the Cantabria region)
These three ingredients are skewered in a specific order. The official process is:
- Skewer an olive.
- Skewer one end of the anchovy fillet.
- Skewer two guindilla peppers (removing stems if necessary).
- Wrap the other end of the anchovy fillet around the peppers and skewer it again.
- Finish with a second olive.
- Marinate in quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the flavors.
Gilda is so popular and simple that you can find it not only in restaurants but also pre-made in supermarkets (for about a quarter of the price). As you can see from the photos, few stick to the recommended official process.
🇪🇸 Tip: After enjoying Basque pintxos and txakoli wine, a bit of passive relaxation is in order. Check out these boat cruises in Bilbao or San Sebastián. You will recharge for more tastings! ⛵
Gilda is traditionally served as part of “la hora del vermut” (vermouth time), a popular social and gastronomic tradition in Spain. It’s a time, usually before lunch (around noon), when people gather to have a glass of vermouth along with various tapas.
The History of Pintxo Gilda
The history of pintxo Gilda dates back to the 1940s and is tied to the bar Casa Vallés in San Sebastian, Spain. The exact year of its creation is unknown, but 1946 is often cited, the year the film “Gilda” starring Rita Hayworth premiered. According to legend, the owner of Casa Vallés created this pintxo and named it after the film character Gilda because the combination of flavors in this pintxo – the saltiness of the anchovies, the spiciness of the peppers, and the bitterness of the olives – was meant to symbolize her complex personality and sensuality.
Although Gilda is one of the most famous and iconic pintxos, Gilda is not the very first pintxo ever. The tradition of pintxos in the Basque Country is older, dating back to the 19th century.
The Price of Pintxo Gilda
The price varies depending on the location and the quality of the preparation. One pintxo Gilda in a Basque restaurant costs approximately 2 EUR. However, you can buy a package of several pintxos for a better price in supermarkets: 4 pintxos in the Mercadona supermarket will cost you 2.25 EUR. The difference in the amount of ingredients is also evident in the photos above.
If you love anchovies, pickled peppers, and olives as much as I do, there’s no question. Pintxo Gilda must be on your list of Basque foods to try.
Bon appétit!
🇪🇸 Tip: After a great Spanish meal, also go for authentic Spanish flamenco. I went to a performance of Las Carboneras tablao flamenco in Madrid, which I definitely recommend. Performances are held throughout Spain, and you can buy tickets in advance online.
