What does romesco taste like?
Romesco tastes smoky, nutty and a little sweet: a thick Catalan sauce of roasted red peppers, almonds or hazelnuts, garlic and olive oil, with a gentle vinegar tang.
Romesco
smoky, nutty red pepper sauce
Romesco comes from Catalonia, in northeast Spain, where it's served with grilled green onions called calçots. It's made by blending roasted red peppers and tomatoes (dried ñora peppers in the traditional version) with toasted nuts, bread, garlic, olive oil and sherry vinegar. The peppers give it sweetness and smoke, the nuts make it thick and toasty, and the vinegar keeps it from feeling heavy. It's barely spicy, more like a smoky, nutty dip. The texture runs from smooth to rustic depending on the kitchen.
Where you’ll see it
With grilled vegetables, chicken, fish and shrimp, under roast potatoes or cauliflower, and as a dip with bread on tapas menus. On modern plates it's often a bright orange swoosh.
Order it if you like roasted red peppers, smoked paprika and nutty dips like pesto or hummus.
Quick questions
- Is romesco spicy?
- Not usually. It's smoky and slightly sweet. Some kitchens add a pinch of chili, but it's milder than most hot sauces.
- Does romesco have nuts?
- Almost always: almonds, hazelnuts or both. If you have a nut allergy, ask before ordering.