My first pintxos experience in Spain yielded nine toothpicks, though throughout my travels I have racked up quite a few dozen more. Here are the ones worthy of a spot on your bucket list. 

Pintxos (or pinchos) are small snacks typically served in Spanish bars, particularly popular in Basque country. These finger foods have an array of toppings placed on crunchy bread, spiked with a toothpick and displayed buffet style.

1. Anchoas y Guindillas
Anchovy with Pickled Green Peppers
One of the prettiest pintxos is the picturesque Anchoas and Guindillas. This is also said to be the original Basque tapas.

2. Chistorra y Padron
Sausage and Peppers
Chistorra is a fast-cured sausage made of minced pork, a Spanish style chorizo. Padron peppers are typically mild and best served charred.

3. Morcilla Cocida Pinchos
Blood Pudding
Blood pudding is a popular pintxos ingredient made with pork blood, fat, rice and onions. And the fried quail egg on top is an added bonus.

4. Piquillo Pepper Jam
The Piquillo Pepper is sweet and spicy, similar to the bell pepper. It is paired here with goat cheese and a vinegar reduction.

5. Croquetas de Papas
Potato Crouquettes
These deep fried balls are made with a mashed style potatoes on the inside and bread crumbs on the outside. Much better than a tater tot!

6. Angulas 
Young Eels
Angulas are 2-3 year old eels and about three inches long. They are served here with smoked salmon (ahumado salmón), but come in dozens of different variations. I am not going to say you will love them, but it should be on your unique eats bucket list.

photo credit: mswine

7. Pulpo Pinchos
Octopus
When cooked properly, octopus should be ever-so tender, not rubbery. Though, it does tend to have a slightly fishiness to it. Many of the Spanish style octopus tapas are topped with a smoked paprika.

8. Pincho de Tortilla
Tortilla Omelet
In my Italian heritage we would call this a frittata bruschetta, but in Spain it is a Pincho de Tortilla, an omelet made with tortillas.

9. Jamon Iberico
Cured Ham
Jamon, made from Black Iberian pigs, will be mixed and matched with numerous different ingredients in tapas all over Spain. Similar to Italian prosciutto, it is a cured ham that should not be passed up.

photo credit: agirregabiria

10. Oreo Cookie Pintxos
The grand finale to your tapas experience should be the Oreo cookie pinchos. Nothing traditional about this, just plain goodness.

Which one of these pintxos (pinchos) do you most want to try?