The History of Seafood in Cantabria & the Origin of Rabas with Carlos Zamora

Before tourism, before Michelin stars, there was the sea. In this episode of the Move to Cantabria Podcast, Santander-born restaurateur Carlos Zamora explores the deep connection between Cantabria and the Cantabrian Sea, and how centuries of fishing shaped the region's identity, traditions and cuisine. From the ports of Santander, Santoña, Castro Urdiales and Laredo to the famous anchovies of Santoña, we discover how generations of fishermen, preservation methods and coastal communities created a food culture that remains central to life in Northern Spain today. And of course, we dive into one of Cantabria's most iconic foods: rabas. More than simply fried squid, rabas are part of the rhythm of life in Santander. Why are they traditionally eaten at aperitivo time? What makes the perfect raba? And how did they become synonymous with Sunday mornings and terrace culture? In this episode: 🦑 The history of fishing in Cantabria ⚓ How coastal towns were shaped by the sea 🐟 The story behind Santoña anchovies 🌊 Differences between coastal and mountain communities 🍋 The origin and traditions surrounding rabas ☀️ Why Sundays in Santander are incomplete without a plate of rabas A conversation about food, history and why the sea remains at the heart of Cantabrian life. https://deluz.es/ #MoveToCantabria #Cantabria #Santander #Rabas #SpanishFood #NorthernSpain #themovetocantabriapodcast