Cooking condiments

[Frank Mestre]

Hi its my first Camino. I intend to go it as frugal as possible so as to make the most of the experience. Can you please tell me in the Albergues are there cooking condiments such as salt, spices, oil, milk, coffee, tea. No big deal just trying to imagine what I would need to get. Also are there pots and pans and cutlery and crockery? Thank you

 

[mspath]

There is no standard throughout all albergue kitchens. Some are well equiped with utensils others not at all. Galician Xunta albergues usually lack everything, however some spices are often left on a common shelf.

Be prepared!

 

[jungleboy]

It varies a lot. Some albergue kitchens have excellent facilities and some are more of the theoretical variety and most lie somewhere in between, so there isn't a blanket answer for the entire Camino Francés.

If you're doing it frugally as you say, then you'll probably be in municipal hostels a lot. In Galicia, these are called Xunta hostels and, according to the Kelly guide, the kitchens aren't good in those. He writes, "They always have kitchens but ... they are rarely usable. i.e. The cooker doesn't work, there are no utensils etc."

As for condiments, small 'packets' of olive oil are very easy to find in Spain, so I carried one or two of those, and also little sachets of salt and pepper.

 

[nidarosa]

@Frank Mestre You might want to have a look at this thread: The electric coil saved my life! Normally there will be salt, oil and a few bits available, but without pans and utensils you won't get very far. A boil coil can be used to cook eggs in a cup, heat water for drinks and instant soups or dried meals. If you bring a cup, a coil, a plate, a spork and a good knife, you can shop accordingly and make salads, soups, egg mayo etc. Bring salt and spices in small pots (like from sets of empty flight-size containers - I use a 100ml bottle for salt mix on longer trips) and a few Oxo cubes for a warming soup base and add spring onions, cooked chicken or whatever you can find in the shop. Then if you end up somewhere with more equipment, you're winning!

 

[Kiwi-family]

We would always check out the kitchen on arriving to see what was available and THEN pop out to the tienda or supermercado and buy dinner provisions accordingly.

 

[Frank Mestre]

Thanks that gives me an overall idea. As long as I have a pot I'll knock up a dish. Possibly being a chef might help me. And I love a one pot dish.

 

[SYates]

If there is a kitchen you will find, most likely, salt, oil and garlic. Often only salt ... BC SY

 

[natefaith]

Frank, if you're too tired to cook one day, or if you find that the kitchen really doesn't have anything, you'll probably find a menu del día (set menu) at one of the local cafes or restaurants that costs anywhere from 8 - 15€. They usually have a decent amount of food, and then you can buy groceries/ snacks for the rest of the day. If you must be frugal, Camino towns are good places to carry that out!
Buen Camino,
Faith

 

[bmcbride]

I think the recommendation to check the albergue when you get there is a good one. The albergue that I volunteered at had many spices, oils, vinegars, rice, pasta, canned goods, etc. that others had left. The pilgrims were always pleased to find out that they did not need to go out and purchase some of these staples.

 

[Former member 49149]

Not quite on your point, but a pilgrim from France brought a wonderful salt and gave it as a gift in the albergue where I was on duty. it lasted a long time and we made sure everyone knew it had been a gift...

 

[naplesdon]

The menu del dia is better than anything you can come up with on a shopping trip to a tienda and probably less expensive at the end of the day. Besides it is the best of the local cuisine. Now early morning breakfast that is another issue. You may not find an open cafe until 9, so taking Nescafe packets to add to boiled water might get you motor running in the morning. I hate them as much as I hate Starbucks but after years in the developing world they do work for me in a pinch.

 

[trecile]

The menu del dia is better than anything you can come up with on a shopping trip to a tienda and probably less expensive at the end of the day. Besides it is the best of the local cuisine.

Clearly, I chose the wrong eating establishments!
While I did eat some very good pilgrim dinners (especially for the price!), by Finisterre I never wanted to see another overcooked cutlet or French fry again!

 

[Frank Mestre]

@Frank Mestre You might want to have a look at this thread: The electric coil saved my life! Normally there will be salt, oil and a few bits available, but without pans and utensils you won't get very far. A boil coil can be used to cook eggs in a cup, heat water for drinks and instant soups or dried meals. If you bring a cup, a coil, a plate, a spork and a good knife, you can shop accordingly and make salads, soups, egg mayo etc. Bring salt and spices in small pots (like from sets of empty flight-size containers - I use a 100ml bottle for salt mix on longer trips) and a few Oxo cubes for a warming soup base and add spring onions, cooked chicken or whatever you can find in the shop. Then if you end up somewhere with more equipment, you're winning!

Ordered Thank you. and metal cup and plate and cutlery. I hope they allow the cutlery on my cabin pack.?
Thanks

 

[naplesdon]

Ordered Thank you. and metal cup and plate and cutlery. I hope they allow the cutlery on my cabin pack.?
Thanks

Make sure it is plastic!

 

[naplesdon]

Clearly, I chose the wrong eating establishments!
While I did eat some very good pilgrim dinners (especially for the price!), by Finisterre I never wanted to see another overcooked cutlet or French fry again!

Pilgrim dinner yuck!
Menu del dia around 2 to 3 is the meal of the day for every Spaniard, always regional and always fresh.

 

[bmcbride]

I agree that the menu del dia at the Spanish lunch hours is a great option, and I preferred to have my big meal then rather than in the evening. But some of the cooking done by the pilgrims in the albergue was outstanding (and they always offered to share with us!) and led to some wonderful communal meals.

 

[Victoria65]

Clearly, I chose the wrong eating establishments!
While I did eat some very good pilgrim dinners (especially for the price!), by Finisterre I never wanted to see another overcooked cutlet or French fry again!

I do agree with you especially on the french fries? I've never quite got it. white rice served with FF, russian salad served with FF, boiled potatoes served with FF. This is not just on the Camino, but is a world wide phenomena. Why?