Frozen churros?

[Bradypus]

Spotted these this morning amongst a large range of Spanish and Portuguese foods in my local Lidl supermarket here in Wales. Probably one of their short-term regional speciality sales. I'd never come across the idea of deep frozen churros before. Do they exist in Spanish supermarkets or are they just a bizarre idea reserved for those of us in distant foreign lands?

 

[peregrina2000]

According to this article, many bars and cafés in Spain use frozen churros and porras but don’t like to reveal it to their clientele. I’m sure it wasn’t a scientific survey, but one person quoted in this article said that 80% of the public won’t notice the difference.

Los churros que parecen artesanos, pero son congelados: así te 'cuelan’ en los bares 650 toneladas

"El 80% no nota la diferencia", reconocen desde Frío Seseña, uno de los principales fabricantes.

www.elespanol.com

Just picking out a few tidbits that are more relevant to your question — the biggest producer makes 2,500 tons of frozen churros a year. 50% go out of the country. The other 50% are sold in Spain, with half of that going to retail and the other half to bars and cafés.

I say get some and try them, @Bradypus! Along with a couple of pasteis de nata. Sounds like a good sugar buzz.

 

[Bradypus]

Thanks @peregrina2000 for your reply. I probably will go back and get some to try. Churros are one of the things I always hope to find at least once on my visits to Spain.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Not to get totally off topic, but I was a bit disappointed when I found out that most of the paella served to pilgrims is from frozen bags, and the flans served for dessert are from box mixes. I still preferred them over eating bocadillas more than once a day. I didn't often venture beyond the standard pilgrim meals or the del dias, but I could always taste the difference the few times I indulged in real Spanish cuisine. You do usually "get what you pay for".

 

[MariaSP]

Spotted these this morning amongst a large range of Spanish and Portuguese foods in my local Lidl supermarket here in Wales. Probably one of their short-term regional speciality sales. I'd never come across the idea of deep frozen churros before. Do they exist in Spanish supermarkets or are they just a bizarre idea reserved for those of us in distant foreign lands?

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You can buy them in any Spanish supermarket.
The fresh ones are nicer. But some of the frozen ones are not bad.

 

[simply B]

Not to get totally off topic, but I was a bit disappointed when I found out that most of the paella served to pilgrims is from frozen bags, and the flans served for dessert are from box mixes. I still preferred them over eating bocadillas more than once a day. I didn't often venture beyond the standard pilgrim meals or the del dias, but I could always taste the difference the few times I indulged in real Spanish cuisine. You do usually "get what you pay for".

The dearest and I rarely eat "out" simply because a goodly number of menu offerings in the low-to-mid-tier restos are from pre-portioned flash frozen bags or boxes. It is less money and more tasty to make our own meals....even if it just a pizza or stir-fry.

Churros would be dead easy to mass produce, freeze, and reheat so @Bradypus's report is not surprising.

The paella factoid represents a far greater culinary sin. (Seriously, churros are gourmet junk food. "Fun dining" not "fine dining". The hot chocolate is the healthy "superfood" part of the treat...seriously...and I am unanimous in this opinion.)

B

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Not to get totally off topic, but I was a bit disappointed when I found out that most of the paella served to pilgrims is from frozen bags, and the flans served for dessert are from box mixes. I still preferred them over eating bocadillas more than once a day. I didn't often venture beyond the standard pilgrim meals or the del dias, but I could always taste the difference the few times I indulged in real Spanish cuisine. You do usually "get what you pay for".

Running a restaurant is a precarious business - most couldn't survive without sous-vide cooking.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Spotted these this morning amongst a large range of Spanish and Portuguese foods in my local Lidl supermarket here in Wales. Probably one of their short-term regional speciality sales. I'd never come across the idea of deep frozen churros before. Do they exist in Spanish supermarkets or are they just a bizarre idea reserved for those of us in distant foreign lands?

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Waitrose frequently have them


As do M&S



Best of all I like going into Canterbury where there is a fresh churros kiosk.

Sometimes I go there, stand downwind and just inhale.

Sad, isn't it?

 

[Bradypus]

Sometimes I go there, stand downwind and just inhale.

I passed this place in Tokushima - the most common starting point for the Shikoku pilgrimage circuit. Sadly closed when I passed by. That's a bit of pilgrim crossover I would have enjoyed!

 

[Former member 49149]

Spotted these this morning amongst a large range of Spanish and Portuguese foods in my local Lidl supermarket here in Wales. Probably one of their short-term regional speciality sales. I'd never come across the idea of deep frozen churros before. Do they exist in Spanish supermarkets or are they just a bizarre idea reserved for those of us in distant foreign lands?

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I have read all of the above replies. In Zabaldilka it was my task to go shopping, and I did so in a local Aldi. I was impressed by the range of good quality special items from all parts of the Peninsula. On my return home to Dublin, I talked to the manager in the nearby Aldi and we spoke a good bit about the need to provide regional foods as well as their own bulk items, so locals will be enticed in.
So, trust them. I nip in from time to time to Aldi and their neighbour, Lidl. They generally have something to take my fancy!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I passed this place in Tokushima - the most common starting point for the Shikoku pilgrimage circuit. Sadly closed when I passed by. That's a bit of pilgrim crossover I would have enjoyed!
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Fusion!