Para picar

‘Para picar’ literally means ‘for picking’, but the Spanish term sounds more charming. Nibbling plays an integral part in the eating habits of those who live around the Mediterranean. The name given to the ‘ritual’ may vary from country to country (tapas, mezze, antipasti, etc) but the core purpose of it is the same: enjoying the company of others with drinks, food and a gossip. It is a way of keeping the mind sane and nurturing the body. The following recipes are tapas or mezze in their simplest form, to accompany a glass of sherry, arak or raki.