We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Food

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Pisto?

Sara Schmidt
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 12,621
Share

Ratatouille is considered one of the most fulfilling, simple, yet comforting peasant dishes in Europe. The Spanish cuisine equivalent of this savory vegetable dish is known as pisto. The hearty, warm dish is often made from whatever vegetables are on hand, including onions, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, and peppers.

Tasty tomato varieties, such as plum tomatoes, generally yield the best pisto. Though salt and pepper are the only required seasonings for a traditional recipe, any other spices can be used as desired. Fresh garlic is a common addition to the dish. Cumin, red pepper flakes, basil, oregano, and other herbs may be used as well. Some chefs even use sugar to sweeten the dish.

A bright, flavorful tomato sauce is the basis of pisto. The sauce is given an added richness through the addition of olive oil. Most people eat this chunky comfort food warm, served with bread and a fried egg. Some chefs, however, serve it cold, either by itself as an appetizer, or with a salad.

Pasta aficionados, particularly those of red sauces, might enjoy pisto over their favorite type of noodles. It can also be served atop rice. Empanadas and emanadillas, famous pastries and stuffed breads of Spain, can be filled with the vegetable mixture. It is a popular ingredient for sandwiches and crepes as well. Some people refer to the dish as a perfectly balanced meal.

To make a pot of savory pisto, start with some olive oil in a frying pan. Fry pungent ingredients, such as onions and garlic, first. Add diced peppers and cook over medium heat for five minutes, continuously stirring. Finish with diced tomatoes and any other vegetables desired, covering the pan to cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

Serve the dish cold as an appetizer, or hot as a main course. Ramekins, or other small dishes, are ideal for presenting this meal. The chunky stew may be topped with a freshly fried egg if desired.

Pisto is specifically part of Castilian-La Mancha cuisine. The dish originated in La Mancha. For this reason, the stew is sometimes referred to as pisto manchego.

The term pisto is not limited to the culinary world. It has several slang meanings in different parts of the globe. Mexicans and Southwestern Americans sometimes use the term to refer to hard liquor. In Central American countries, such as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, the word translates to money.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Sara Schmidt
By Sara Schmidt
With a Master's Degree in English from Southeast Missouri State University, Sara Schmidt puts her expertise to use by writing for DelightedCooking, plus various magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She published her own novella and has other literary projects in the works. Sara's diverse background includes teaching children in Spain, tutoring college students, running CPR and first aid classes, and organizing student retreats, reflecting her passion for education and community engagement.
Discussion Comments
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
With a Master's Degree in English from Southeast Missouri State University, Sara Schmidt puts her expertise to use by writing for DelightedCooking, plus various magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She published her own novella and has other literary projects in the works. Sara's diverse background includes teaching children in Spain, tutoring college students, running CPR and first aid classes, and organizing student retreats, reflecting her passion for education and community engagement.
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-pisto.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.