octopus. Also of note are (made with white beans, kale, potatoes and a variety of sausages and bacon) and . Pork-based foods, for example, , and (chorizo-stuffed bread rolls), are popular. Common meat dishes include (roasted veal), cachopo (a crunchy, crumb-coated veal steak stuffed with ham and cheese), and . Fish and seafood play an important role in Asturian cuisine. The Cantabrian Sea provides a rich variety of species, including tuna, hake and sardines. Asturian cheeses are very popular in the rest of Spain. Among them, the most representative is Cabrales cheese, a pungent, blue cheese developed in the regions near the Picos de Europa. Other popular cheese types are gamonéu afuega'l pitu, and . These can be enjoyed with the local cider, a low-alcohol drink made of Asturian apples, with a distinctive sourness. Asturian cider, , made of a special type of apple, is traditionally poured escanciada from a certain height, usually over the head of the waiter/server: one hand holds the glass, slightly tilted, under the hip, while the other hand throws the cider from atop, the arm usually stretched upwards. When the cider falls into the glass from above, the drink "breaks", getting aerated and bubbly. It is consumed immediately after being served, in consecutive, tiny shots. Notable desserts are (similar to crêpes, usually filled with cream or apple jam), rice pudding (white rice cooked with milk, lemon zest and sugar), and (puff pastry cakes filled with almond mash and covered with sugar glaze). Balearic Islands Balearic cuisine has purely Mediterranean characteristics due to its location. The islands have been conquered several times throughout their history by the French and the English, which left some culinary influences. Some well known food items are the sobrassada, , mahón cheese, gin de Menorca (pelota), and mayonnaise. Among the dishes are tumbet, , and roasted suckling pig. Popular deserts include ensaïmada, tambor d'ametlla, and suspiros de Manacor. Balearic food is an example of the famous Mediterranean diet due to the importance of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, vegetables and fish. Basque Country The cuisine of the Basque Country has a wide and varied range of ingredients and preparations. The culture of eating is very strong among the inhabitants of this region. Highlights include meat and fish dishes. Among fish, cod (bacalao) is produced in various preparations: , , to name a few. Also popular are anchovies, bream, and bonito.