Cooking in Cordova compiles the traditions of the different cultures that came to settle in the city. Many of the recipes have been saved from old Muslim and Jewish manuscripts. One of the favourite dishes is salmorejo (a creamy gazpacho), artichokes prepared in the style of Montilla, oxtail or flamenquines (ham stuffed meat rolls) Confectionery includes –among many others– pastel cordobés (Cordoban pie) and suspiros de Almanzor (Almanzor’s sights).
Indeed, the cuisine of Cordoba has always enjoyed a rich culinary tradition. Framed into the Andalusian cuisine, it catches the attention of an endless number of visitors due to its attractiveness and variety. It is known at both national and international levels for being the gastronomy of Andalusian gazpacho (tomato cold soup), Cordoba salmorejo (tomato and bread cream), paella and oxtail. The influence of the cuisine of al-Andalus is evident in the dishes made with olive oil, vinegar, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, saffron, etc...
This cuisine also stands out for its variety: on the one hand there are the farmhouse dishes such as salmorejo, carnerete, toasted bread crumbs or gazpacho, and on the other, campiña (countryside) dishes like paella de campiña or the stew of dried beans. It also receives an influence of North African cuisines, so the visitor can taste dishes like pigeons with olives or pigeons in almonds sauce.
Cordoba and its province have one of the highest numbers of active artisans in the country. The crafts Córdoba has inherited from al-Andalus encompass a large number of work manufactures. Córdoba stands out as a land of jewelers –a job with a centuries-long tradition– of leather craftsmen who work the cordovans, already famous in the Middle Ages, and potters, who get inspired by the creations of al-Andalus.
Thus, leather is the raw material for the cordovans and guadamecíes –embossed, modelled and polychrome pieces of leather with classical and modern designs. The visitor also appreciates the Cordoba filigree, which consists of gold or silver thread welded to a metal structure, creating a figure. Many jewelry shops display in their windows pieces of exclusive, classical and modern designs; as the design of golden and silver pieces is internationally known, Cordoba is one of the main jewel production centers.