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How La Espanola Meats Bridges the Culinary Gap
By ShuRhonda Bradley, Columnist
Have you ever returned from another country craving the culinary experiences you had there? During my visit to Spain, I was blown away by the freshness and flavor of gourmet tapas — from octopus to Iberian ham. One of the funniest culinary experiences was when the server brought a basket filled with heirloom tomatoes and bread known as pan con tomate. My friend Antiouse, who traveled with me to Spain, and I looked at each other and asked what we were supposed to do with that. We went down the list of what we should do. Should we slice it? Antiouse suggested rubbing the tomato on the bread. We eventually cut the tomatoes and ate them.
The food exploration was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. Antiouse recommended we check out a cooking class in Madrid. It was there I learned about Spanish delicacies and dining etiquette, including how to eat tomatoes and bread. You rub the tomato on the bread until only the skin is left, allowing the bread to absorb all the citric flavors. One of my favorite Spanish dishes that I continue to cook is stuffed piquillo peppers with white albacore tuna. I discovered a new dish to add to my book of recipes.
After I returned home to San Pedro, I began to miss the cleanliness, freshness and flavor of my Iberian cuisine experience. So much so, that I would mentally time-travel back to my time in Spain. Each time I returned to my senses I became more determined to bring some of Spain back to the South Bay and Los Angeles Harbor Area. Then my friend Daryl, who also traveled to Spain with me, suggested we visit Cafe Sevilla in Long Beach, where we found Iberian ham on the menu. Iberian ham, or Jamón Ibérico, is a world-renowned delicacy from Spain, celebrated for its rich, nutty flavor and smooth texture, made from the hind legs of Iberian pigs that are often fed a diet of acorns. I asked the manager where they sourced the meat. Eventually, he gave in and shared the hidden gem, a Spanish market in Harbor City called La Española Meats.
La Española Meats, founded in 1982, had everything I wanted to recreate my culinary experiences in Spain. From Iberian ham and paella on Saturdays to monthly flamenco performances, it is a local escape to satisfy my hunger for Spanish food and culture. I love the irony that importing Spanish products started because Dona Juana, the founder, could not find Spanish products here in the United States. Not only are Dona Juana and her family selling Spanish products, but they are also doing it while creating a welcoming family-friendly environment to enjoy paella and meat trays.
The paella had everything: green beans, mussels, calamari, chicken wing, chorizo, peppers and butter beans. I felt like I was on a scavenger hunt, and I was finding all the treasures. The chorizos were full of spices, lean. I was shocked, because sometimes sausages can be very greasy. But again, that’s why my travels through the Iberian Peninsula were so memorable. The food was fresh, the meats were lean and the shrimp was shrimp. By that, I mean the well-seasoned shrimp had a mild flavor without being overpowering. The chicken wing reminded me of the freshness of Jidori chicken, a tender, buttery-tasting breed of Japanese chicken fed an all-vegetarian diet, including clover, tomatoes and apples. They are delivered the same day of slaughter, ensuring freshness. If you know nothing about Jidori chicken, just know you are missing out.
If you love Spanish food, this is a spot to pick up your Spanish ingredients. Even some of your favorite restaurants get their custom chorizos from there, such as the recently opened Teleferic Barcelona. On Saturdays, they even have a flamenco dancer, adding to the charm and making it a truly wonderful family experience. The restaurant is family-run, with the matriarch, Don Juana, welcoming guests with open arms. You are being treated as part of the family when you visit. They go above and beyond to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. There’s so much to love about this place.
La Española Meats
Address: 25020 Doble Ave., Harbor City
(310) 539-0455
https://laespanolameats.com/
