You know what I'm really missing....

Thanks Broxi for the tip (no, I'm not that desperate but it would be nice to indulge in a bit of culinary nostalgia the odd time  ). Thanks for the site tip - I'll check it out.

Oh they have had them for years and years.  I grew up on them.  They are called kikos (sometimes maiz frito or tostado).  Often served with other mixes of nuts at bars. You can buy them at supermarkets with other frutos secos or those little stands on the street corners and they have been there since Franco's times.  I have been eating them since the mid 70's and even had some on a recent visit.  So they are there.  Maybe well hidden, but they are there. I lived in Zaragoza and Barcleona and have travelled through Madrid.  Seriously ask people for kikos and you might get them.  It's a favorite "chuchería".  They even have started to have flavors.  Best of luck in your quest and may the kikos be with you.