Gazpacho: Spain’s Answer to Gatorade

[trecile]

I just came across this article in Outside Magazine. On my last Camino I occasionally bought a bottle of supermarket gazpacho. It was refreshing, and apparently better than Gatorade at replenishing electrolytes because it does so without added sugar.

Gazpacho Is Spain’s Answer to Gatorade

This drinkable tomato elixir is the ultimate post-workout thirst quencher

www.outsideonline.com

 

[chinacat]

My mother used to make us Gazpacho in the summer.
It is so refreshing in the heat

 

[David Tallan]

I just came across this article in Outside Magazine. On my last Camino I occasionally bought a bottle of supermarket gazpacho. It was refreshing, and apparently better than Gatorade at replenishing electrolytes because it does so without added sugar.

Gazpacho Is Spain’s Answer to Gatorade

This drinkable tomato elixir is the ultimate post-workout thirst quencher

www.outsideonline.com

I tended to buy it by the carton (1L) in supermarkets rather than by the bottle. I did that 2 or 3 times last Camino.

Although I thought Aquarius was Spain's answer to Gatorade.

 

[oursonpolaire]

Gazpacho is my answer to Gatorade; it is harvest season in my part of Canada, and the tomatoes and peppers are celestial.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Although I thought Aquarius was Spain's answer to Gatorade.

Ditto. Tastes a whole lot better too.
I’d love to drink Gazpacho, taste’s great and a whole lot healthier - but peppers/ capsicum and I have a love/ hate relationship…
Enjoy, the rest of you!

 

[Anamya]

Omg, it's freezing cold at the moment in Canberra, but I'd LOOOOOVE some gazpacho. So delicious!

 

[jungleboy]

Gazpacho doesn't help you be like Mike though.




For people who don't know what that means:

 

[Flory]

I also always buy gazpachio on the camino. They have a three pack every pack is 250 ml.
Drink one on the spot. Carry 500 ml for lunch and snack. Together with my 850 ml water bottle and i am good to go.

 

[Larry E]

Gazpacho is my answer to Gatorade; it is harvest season in my part of Canada, and the tomatoes and peppers are celestial.

I like Aquarius much more than Gatorade, primarily because of the much lower sugar content: "While Gatorade is very similar to sports water, sports water drinks such as Aquarius and Pocari Sweat are more electrolytes and water than sugar and flavour as seen in most of Gatorades and Powerades. Aquarius allows for ease of hydration by coming as close to the contents of sweat as drink science can get." I wish I could get Aquarius in the USA!

 

[Anniesantiago]

Yes, love it! One of my favorite memories was on our first try (2011) doing the VDLP in 105 degree heat. We were suffering, when a friendly man invited us into his home for homemade gazpacho! He looked like Anthony Quinn.

We gave up at Fuentes and popped onto the Frances in Leon where I left my guide at the Benedictine Albergue. I've always regretted leaving it, having never been able to afford another one like it.

I did return several times to complete the route, but something always happened - last time was when COVID hit. I've never made it past Caceres.

2011 VDLP Blog Post

But that was the BEST Gazpacho ever!

 

[LTfit]

During my first Vía de la Plata in July 2011 Gazpacho was the only thing I could eat during the first week out of Sevilla. It was so hot that I lost my appetite. Gazpacho gave me the fluids (of course as well as 4 liters of water per day) that I needed as well as some vitamins until I got used to the heat.

Since then I've made it on several occasions and always buy it from the supermarket at least once while on a Camino.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have heard of gazpacho for many years, but have never looked for it, nor seen it at a glance in supermarkets at home or abroad.
I have purchased "V8" juice in cans a number of times in the US over the years, but can't say I "love it". Is gazpacho similar?

 

[trecile]

I have purchased "V8" juice in cans a number of times in the US over the years, but can't say I "love it". Is gazpacho similar?

They both contain tomatoes - the similarity ends there.

 

[WayWalker]

Do you find it in a refrigerated place in the supermarket? Would love to try it.

 

[trecile]

Do you find it in a refrigerated place in the supermarket? Would love to try it.

Yes, that's where I found it. Sometimes in the produce area where the packaged salads are.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Yes, that's where I found it. Sometimes in the produce area where the packaged salads are.

So then, is it not always fully refrigerated?

 

[trecile]

So then, is it not always fully refrigerated?

It was in the refrigerated section in the produce department near the packaged salads.

 

[Flory]

Sometimes its refregarated sometimes not

 

[ktr]

I love gazpacho and drank it a lot on my Camino. I happened to look at the calories, though, and realized a gallon has about 2000 calories, probably because of the olive oil. So not a light snack

 

[trecile]

I love gazpacho and drank it a lot on my Camino. I happened to look at the calories, though, and realized a gallon has about 2000 calories, probably because of the olive oil. So not a light snack

Never an issue for me, as I never drank close to a gallon (3.78 liters) at a time. The bottles that I bought were half liter size, or about 0.13 gallon, which would be about 260 calories.

 

[ktr]

Never an issue for me, as I never drank close to a gallon (3.78 liters) at a time. The bottles that I bought were half liter size, or about 0.13 gallon, which would be about 260 calories.

Sorry I meant liter!

 

[trecile]

Sorry I meant liter!

2000 calories in one liter? That seems like a lot. I found some bottled/packaged gazapachos online, and they seem to have anywhere from 240 to 300 calories in a half liter.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I have the bestest, most killer gazpacho recipe ever, we pretty much live on the stuff all through the summer here on the Meseta. Let me know if you want the Secret Formula...

 

[trecile]

I have the bestest, most killer gazpacho recipe ever, we pretty much live on the stuff all through the summer here on the Meseta. Let me know if you want the Secret Formula...

Yes, please tell! I was just about to go to the grocery store.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

From Penelope Casas, who gave me the measures in US proportions:
Red Gazpacho de Andaluz

a 4-inch length of baguette, de-crusted
1 medium Vidalia or mild Spanish onion, peeled and chopped
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, chopped and seeded (sometimes I also peel them)
2 big or 3 small green or red peppers, chopped
1 5-inch cucumber (Kirby or English are best) peeled and chopped
3 or 4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 cup mild olive oil (doesn't have to be EVOO)
salt/sugar
6 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar (required!)
2 cups cold water

Finely chopped tomoato, pepper, onion, breadcrusts for garnish

Soak the bread in water and squeeze til pasty.
In a food processor or blender grind together the vegetables with the vinegar, salt, and bread goo until smooth. Add olive oil slowly, in a stream, with the motor running til color changes Sir in the water.
Taste to adjust for salt/sugar balance.
Chill very well. Stir and check flavor again before serving in bowls, cups or tall glasses with garnish on the side.
This is a full-on summer vegetables recipe -- winter hothouse tomatoes just won't cut it.

 

[TravellingMan22]

2000 calories in one liter? That seems like a lot. I found some bottled/packaged gazapachos online, and they seem to have anywhere from 240 to 300 calories in a half liter.

Yes around 500 average calories in a litre of Gazpacho. There is not even 2000 calories in a litre of Sangria!

 

[trecile]

Yes around 500 average calories in a litre of Gazpacho. There is not even 2000 calories in a litre of Sangria!

But there's no olive oil in sangria.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

when you are carrying your possessions on your back and walking 20+ kilometers per day, this calorie business is totally irrelevant. This is righteous food.

 

[trecile]

when you are carrying your possessions on your back and walking 20+ kilometers per day, this calorie business is totally irrelevant. This is righteous food.

Since I'm at home now, and not burning through the calories like I do on the Camino I'm going to go a little easy on the olive oil.

 

[Bradypus]

Since I'm at home now, and not burning through the calories like I do on the Camino I'm going to go a little easy on the olive oil.

So much good food on the Caminos that I've never lost an significant amount of weight walking in Spain. But I lost half a pound per day between Canterbury and Rome!

 

[trecile]

I made some gazpacho yesterday following @Rebekah Scott's recipe. Really yummy! I had to use supermarket tomatoes, which weren't that great, so I used tomato juice instead off water.

 

[TravellingMan22]

I made some gazpacho yesterday following @Rebekah Scott's recipe. Really yummy! I had to use supermarket tomatoes, which weren't that great, so I used tomato juice instead off water.

Nice one! How long did it take?

 

[trecile]

Nice one! How long did it take?

You don't want to know!
Cleanup took almost as long as making it, because I ended up using all kinds of blenders, bowls, and food choppers. My blender is seriously underpowered and too small, so I had to transfer everything to a big bowl and use my immersion blender. But that wasn't too effective for pureeing the diced pepper, onion, cucumber, etc., so I used my small food processer in batches, then transferred to the bowl with the immersion blender, then I put part of the mixture at a time in the blender...

 

[TravellingMan22]

You don't want to know!
Cleanup took almost as long as making it, because I ended up using all kinds of blenders, bowls, and food choppers. My blender is seriously underpowered and too small, so I had to transfer everything to a big bowl and use my immersion blender. But that wasn't too effective for pureeing the diced pepper, onion, cucumber, etc., so I used my small food processer in batches, then transferred to the bowl with the immersion blender, then I put part of the mixture at a time in the blender...

Ah ok. Thank you. Well I am a novice and won’t have access to a blender so maybe the supermarket version will have to do!!

 

[trecile]

Ah ok. Thank you. Well I am a novice and won’t have access to a blender so maybe the supermarket version will have to do!!

You definitely need some kind of blender, food processor or food mill to make it.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

You don't want to know!
Cleanup took almost as long as making it, because I ended up using all kinds of blenders, bowls, and food choppers. My blender is seriously underpowered and too small, so I had to transfer everything to a big bowl and use my immersion blender. But that wasn't too effective for pureeing the diced pepper, onion, cucumber, etc., so I used my small food processer in batches, then transferred to the bowl with the immersion blender, then I put part of the mixture at a time in the blender...

Holy moley! That's devotion!
I wore out our first food processor making gazpacho over several summers, and thus justified a Black Friday Sale purchase of a splendid Ninja-brand food processor/blender. It's a wonder, and makes the smoothest, quickest gazpacho ever. And white gazpacho -- Ajo Blanco -- is also a revelation! Almonds, grapes, vinegar, and olive oil... absolutely gorgeous!

 

[TravellingMan22]

Found a short cut! Mercadona it is! Or maybe LIdl. Or maybe Aldi.

This is the best supermarket gazpacho in Spain

MADRID – Nothing tastes better on a hot summer day in Spain than a refreshing gazpacho.…

inspain.news

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have now decided I will never make it from scratch.

 

[trecile]

I have now decided I will never make it from scratch.

You should try - it is sooo good! Maybe start with a smaller batch than I did though.

 

[TravellingMan22]

E

You should try - it is sooo good! Maybe start with a smaller batch than I did though.

Even the video on how to make it is 6 mins long!

 

[trecile]

Even the video on how to make it is 6 mins long!

His blender is obviously much better than mine!

 

[rojasa]

I have the bestest, most killer gazpacho recipe ever, we pretty much live on the stuff all through the summer here on the Meseta. Let me know if you want the Secret Formula...

Hah, challenge accepted! I believe *I* have the best recipe…but it will always taste better in Spain, so you win…

 

[rojasa]

(PS I had to go look up my family recipe. And, it’s basically Penelope Casas’ recipe. Except my Sevillana mother claims that onions and peppers do not belong because they interfere with the essence of the tomato. She’ll allow cucumbers, if the weather is hot enough. I sprinkle a scant teaspoon of sugar into it, plus a pinch of cumin. Sherry vinegar is absolutely required, reserva preferred. And a Ninja blender makes it all worthwhile. I actually learned how to make this with a mortar and pestle, in my abuelita’s apartment in barrio San Pablo, back in the day…)

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I always thought the Spanish answer to Gatorade was Aquarius. Gazpacho sounds more like a V8.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Although I thought Aquarius was Spain's answer to Gatorade.

Sometimes I just jump to the bottom and reply. I should have read the entire thread and said, "great minds..."

 

[makingtrax]

Do you find it in a refrigerated place in the supermarket? Would love to try it.

On the shelf as well. Long life.

 

[Neitz]

On my post-camino visit to Barcelona, I had a stroke of genius and ordered a glass of gazpacho along with a "Bikini de queso con jamon," which is basically a grilled cheese sandwich. I kicked myself for not thinking of this combo before. So good!

 

[joeboybollo]

when you are carrying your possessions on your back and walking 20+ kilometers per day, this calorie business is totally irrelevant. This is righteous food.

Righteous,great description.Heard about gazpacho,never tried it,but certainly will now that I know what's in it.Leave tonight for Ingles and on to Finisterre. Cant wait to get to the supermarket.
Joe

 

[joeboybollo]

You don't want to know!
Cleanup took almost as long as making it, because I ended up using all kinds of blenders, bowls, and food choppers. My blender is seriously underpowered and too small, so I had to transfer everything to a big bowl and use my immersion blender. But that wasn't too effective for pureeing the diced pepper, onion, cucumber, etc., so I used my small food processer in batches, then transferred to the bowl with the immersion blender, then I put part of the mixture at a time in the blender...

 

[TravellingMan22]

Holy moley! That's devotion!
I wore out our first food processor making gazpacho over several summers, and thus justified a Black Friday Sale purchase of a splendid Ninja-brand food processor/blender. It's a wonder, and makes the smoothest, quickest gazpacho ever. And white gazpacho -- Ajo Blanco -- is also a revelation! Almonds, grapes, vinegar, and olive oil... absolutely gorgeous!

Do folks add anything to Gazpacho. Just had some and added Lea Perrins Worcestershire Sauce as I would with tomato juice and/or Bloody Mary. Tabasco being the other option.

 

[trecile]

Do folks add anything to Gazpacho. Just had some and added Lea Perrins Worcestershire Sauce as I would with tomato juice and/or Bloody Mary. Tabasco being the other option.

I have seen gazpacho recipes that call for Worcestershire sauce. I thought that the vinegar added a nice tang, so didn't think that it needed Worcestershire. Hot peppers could be substituted for milder peppers.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Adding hot sauce or Worcestershire to gazpacho? No. You are confused. This is soup. It is not a Bloody Mary!

 

[TravellingMan22]

Adding hot sauce or Worcestershire to gazpacho? No. You are confused. This is soup. It is not a Bloody Mary!

Well if you google it a lot of folks do add WS to Gazpacho! I am drinking one right now with WS added and I really like it. Possibly a UK adaptation. I only drink the supermarket stuff from Spar, Mercsdona, Dia and /or Consum!

Andrew Zimmern’s Gazpacho Recipe

Andrew Zimmern adds Worcestershire sauce and herbs to his gazpacho, giving extra layers of flavor to the classic chilled soup.

www.foodandwine.com

The Best Gazpacho

This Easy Gazpacho recipe is so simple to make. Chilled, refreshing and light, made with the freshest vegetables. A healthy, no cook dinner!

thesuburbansoapbox.com

I think Gazpacho is quite versatile…you can add a whole host of things!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

If it's got a whole host of weird stuff added into it, it is not gazpacho any more.
-- El Mago de la cocina

 

[Bradypus]

If it's got a whole host of weird stuff added into it, it is not gazpacho any more.
-- El Mago de la cocina

The first officers' mess where I was a member used to have decanters set out on the table at lunchtime. Sherry infused with chillis. Not for drinking - for adding to your soup if it was a bit too bland for your taste. That might have brightened up a dull gazpacho quite nicely!

 

[trecile]

If it's got a whole host of weird stuff added into it, it is not gazpacho any more

That reminds me of how my friend makes tortilla - she adds several vegetables and feta cheese and bakes it in the oven. So it's no longer a tortilla, but a frittata.