What are pintxos?
Denise Landis is the founder & CEO of The Cook's Cook.
Part of our Ultimate Guide to World Cuisine. Click to see more answers to your questions.
Pintxos (also spelled pinchos) are small snacks or appetizers typically served at bars in northern Spain, particularly in the Basque Country. The word “pintxo” comes from the Spanish word “pincho,” which means “spike” or “skewer,” as these snacks are often held together by a skewer or toothpick. Pintxos are similar to tapas, which are also small dishes served in Spanish bars, but pintxos are generally more elaborate and feature a variety of ingredients piled on top of a slice of bread.
Pintxos can include a wide range of ingredients such as seafood, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and sauces, creating a diverse and flavorful selection. They can be hot or cold, and are usually enjoyed with a glass of wine or beer. People often visit multiple bars in one evening, sampling different pintxos at each place, in a tradition known as “pintxo crawling” or txikiteo (also spelled chiquiteo).
It is common in bars of the region for a patron’s bill to be tallied by counting the number and color of the toothpicks that have accumulated. There is an assumption of honesty, but sharp-eyed servers will be sure to catch anyone thinking to game the system.
For more about small plates, see Rachel Forrest’s Why Smaller – and Sharing – is For Me.
