Vegetarian?

[ll1]

I am inquiring about any challenges anyone has had finding food for a vegetarian along the Camino Francis.
Thank you in advance.

 

[donalomahony]

Search the forum using the term "vegetarian" lots of ideas and threads there!

Lots of vegetarian food for sale in shops and markets, vegetarian meals in restaurants.... well, variable, from NOT to brilliant, more not, than brilliant....

 

[ll1]

I am inquiring about any challenges anyone has had finding food for a vegetarian along the Camino Francis.
Thank you in advance.

Thank you.

 

[ll1]

Search the forum using the term "vegetarian" lots of ideas and threads there!

Lots of vegetarian food for sale in shops and markets, vegetarian meals in restaurants.... well, variable, from NOT to brilliant, more not, than brilliant....

Thank you.

 

[Albertagirl]

As a vegetarian, I found restaurant meals rather challenging. Where there was little or no choice, it was problematical. For example, on one occasion the first course at the only restaurant in town was green beans (habichuelas) which arrived mixed with large amounts of ham (jamon). This was my first restaurant meal in Galicia, where the albergues have kitchens, but no pots or dishes. You can say "No como carne" - "I don't eat meat" but they do not always categorize as meat what we would. Try to specify: "Soy vegetariano/a (masculine/feminine form), no como carne" when you inquire about the menu and before you order anything. It helps if you are willing to eat fish in a pinch, as I am. Plan ahead to cook for yourself where there is a kitchen. Bear in mind that an apparently innocuous dish, such as ensalada mixta (mixed salad) is likely to have large amounts of tuna in it. You can say "Sin atun (tuna) por favor" (Without tuna, please). Where there are vegetarian restaurants, they are likely to be at least as expensive as regular restaurants. Albergues which supply meals for pilgrims sometimes understand what you mean by vegetarian and sometimes do not. For example, if most of the chorizo (sausage) has been picked out of the communal dish, they may consider it perfectly fine for a vegetarian. Plan ahead and keep your sense of humour.

 

[ll1]

As a vegetarian, I found restaurant meals rather challenging. Where there was little or no choice, it was problematical. For example, on one occasion the first course at the only restaurant in town was green beans (habichuelas) which arrived mixed with large amounts of ham (jamon). This was my first restaurant meal in Galicia, where the albergues have kitchens, but no pots or dishes. You can say "No como carne" - "I don't eat meat" but they do not always categorize as meat what we would. Try to specify: "Soy vegetariano/a (masculine/feminine form), no como carne" when you inquire about the menu and before you order anything. It helps if you are willing to eat fish in a pinch, as I am. Plan ahead to cook for yourself where there is a kitchen. Bear in mind that an apparently innocuous dish, such as ensalada mixta (mixed salad) is likely to have large amounts of tuna in it. You can say "Sin atun (tuna) por favor" (Without tuna, please). Where there are vegetarian restaurants, they are likely to be at least as expensive as regular restaurants. Albergues which supply meals for pilgrims sometimes understand what you mean by vegetarian and sometimes do not. For example, if most of the chorizo (sausage) has been picked out of the communal dish, they may consider it perfectly fine for a vegetarian. Plan ahead and keep your sense of humour.

Thank you for your detailed information. Your words seem to echo most of what I see on previous posts.. I always get by....

 

[NualaOC]

Good advice from @Albertagirl. Meat is often hidden in soups and in dishes that 'sound' vegetarian. It's less complicated if you eat some fish, but most people manage fine.

There are lots of threads on this topic. Here are a couple: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vegetarianism-on-the-camino.38568/#post-381436
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...gues-restaurants-on-the-camino-frances.16487/

Buen Camino!

 

[Sophie Luise]

My mother and I are vegetarians too and when we wanted to eat at a restaurant last year on the CF, most of the time they offered us one of three dishes: Tortilla (I couldn't eat it anymore after a week), pasta or ensalada mixta (if they made it without tuna). But if you keep your eyes open, you can find some places with great vegetarian meals, for example I remember an albergue in Foncebadón and one in La Faba (we found them thanks to our guide book) and I'm sure there were more. And of course there are always shops where you can buy what you need to cook your own meal.

 

[Angel-hart]

Hi I am on the Camino as we speak, for vegetarian meals as stated earlier they are a challenge. I met two people who were vegetarians just yesterday: they told me it's been challenging to say the least. They frequently eat canned beans, like garbanzos, white beans, kidney beans etc which are very available in small marcados. There are many excellent bean soups but they most all have pork, ham, ham stock and bones in them. Great to me but not for mainstream vegetarians.
Lettuces and other things are up and down, in large cities yes. You mostly hit those once a week average.
Small town markets have very limited choices on many things. Great breads, cheeses, local peppers, onions yes. You can do the Camino as a non meat eater but it will take some planning.

 

[Lynda Millington]

I am inquiring about any challenges anyone has had finding food for a vegetarian along the Camino Francis.
Thank you in advance.

I am having no problem despite speaking no Spanish. Most places understand and will provide a meal with no meat. Variety is an issue though.

 

[Tincatinker]

You may find the following phrases helpful:

Soy vegetariano.
Yo no como carne o pescado .
Jamon no es un vegetal.
Pollo no es un vegetal.
Percebes no son verduras.
Sólo una ensalada para mí.
Atun no es una planta de ensalada.
Voy a tener el plato de judias.
Chorizo no son judías .
Una botella de brandy por favor.

 

[Albertagirl]

You may find the following phrases helpful:

Soy vegetariano.
Yo no como carne o pescado .
Jamon no es un vegetal.
Pollo no es un vegetal.
Percebes no son verduras.
Sólo una ensalada para mí.
Atun no es una planta de ensalada.
Voy a tener el plato de judias.
Chorizo no son judías .
Una botella de brandy por favor.

I particularly like the last line.

 

[Bajaracer]

This is where the guidebooks come in handy, they list the towns that have supermercados so you can shop for food to fit your dietary needs.
"Oh, you don't need a guidebook," you do if you have a special diet......

 

[Kanga]

@Tincatinker you do me me laugh. Very apt list.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Vegan an vegetarian is possible, but mostly by buying in the markets. In a restaurant, even vegetables are likely cooked with meat. You can ask, but the answer may not be accurate.

 

[Lisa HS]

Don't miss Albergue de Pieros (just West of Ponferrada). Excellent vegetarian meals.