Travels in Spain, Tapas and Pinchos

Pinchos are Northern Spain’s equivalent of the tapas, the main difference being that pinchos are usually larger and always ordered and paid for independently from the drinks. They are called pinchos because this is the Spanish word for spike and many of them are held together with a sharp wooden skewer.  Another difference is that whilst tapas are served on a small dish, pinchos are generally arranged on bread slices and laid out on the bar as a mouth watering selection of tasty snacks and every one of them an attractive work of art.