Arròs negre facts for kids
|
|
| Alternative names | Arroz negro, paella negra, black risotto |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Region or state | Valencia, Catalonia |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | White rice, cuttlefish or squid, cephalopod ink, cubanelle peppers |
| Variations | Fideuà negra |
| Other information | Also popular in Puerto Rico |
Arròs negre (which means "black rice" in Valencian) is a special dish from Spain. It comes from the Valencian and Catalan regions. This tasty meal is made with cuttlefish or squid and rice. It's a bit like seafood paella, but it has a unique dark color.
Some people call it paella negra (meaning "black paella"). However, it's usually not called a paella in Spain, even though it's cooked in a similar way.
Contents
What Makes Arròs Negre Black?
The main reason Arròs negre is black is because of squid ink. This ink gives the dish its dark color and also makes the seafood flavor even stronger.
Key Ingredients
The traditional way to make this dish uses a few important ingredients:
Many cooks also like to add other seafood. For example, they might put in crab and shrimp to make it even more delicious.
Where is Arròs Negre Popular?
Besides Valencia and Catalonia in Spain, Arròs negre is enjoyed in other parts of the world.
Popularity in the Americas
It's very popular in Cuba and Puerto Rico. On these islands, it's known as arroz con calamares, which means "rice with squid" in Spanish. In the Philippines, it's a type of paelya and is called paella negra.
Black Rice Dishes in Europe
Dishes similar to Arròs negre are also made in other countries. You can find black rice dishes with cuttlefish or squid ink in Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro. In these places, they are often called "black risotto".
Fideuà Negra: A Noodle Twist
There's a cool variation of this dish called Fideuà negra. The word Fideuà means "noodles" in Valencian. So, Fideuà negra is made with noodles instead of rice. It's usually served with a creamy garlic sauce called aioli.
Not to Be Confused with Black Rice Grains
It's important not to mix up Arròs negre (the dish) with black rice. Black rice is a type of rice grain that is naturally dark in color. These are different things! Arròs negre gets its color from squid ink, not from the rice itself.
See also
In Spanish: Arroz negro (cocina española) para niños
