ORDERING A “PICADA” (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The perfect company for a gathering with friends in Argentina is the “picada”. It’s a food formed by many different elements that offers a variety of flavors and ingredients. Similar to Spanish tapas, Italian bruschetti or Mexican tacos and quesadillas, the Argentine picada is the best option to accompany a drinking session, usually involving beer or wine.

Among its traditional offer you can find: every kind of cold meats (generally traditional and Parma ham and salamis), cheeses (we prefer the solid varieties as the local “Mar del Plata cheese”), olives (stuffed and pitted), peanuts and all kind of chips. It usually comes with different types of bread and may include any other ingredient that can be presented in a reasonable quantity.

The main idea of the picada is to present food that doesn’t need a knife, a fork or a spoon to be eaten. Things you can grab with one hand (that’s why napkins are also needed!) while you hold your drink with the other. The presentation of a picada is done in many different small containers, some large containers with small divisions and wooden boards.

The picada is a ritual that you share with your friends in pubs, at dusk or at night. It’s also the most common invitation if you visit a friend house and a necessary option before eating the Argentine barbecue, the asado. There are simple versions, almost minimal, with salami and cheese; and more refined ones prepared by caterers in gourmet versions. The thing is that you Porteño experience will not be complete until you have order a good picada.