Zarzuela de mariscos

Zarzuela de mariscos is a traditional Catalan seafood stew. Although the dish is similar to Marseille's bouillabaise, it's more rustic because it contains ground almonds, and the flavors are bolder due to ingredients such as cured pork, peppers, and tomatoes. The foundation of zarzuela de mariscos, however, are mussels, clams, and shrimp, but some people like to add scallops and calamari as well. Other ingredients include saffron, white wine, olive oil, bay leaves, onions, garlic, rosemary, and thyme, with smoked paprika and parsley used as garnishes. In Spain, zarzuela de mariscos is also commonly served as a tapa. The name zarzuela means operetta or variety show, referring to the versatility of the dish – the more seafood you add to the pot, the better its flavor will be.