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Portuguese Gastronomy
The Delicious Sweet Tradition of Alentejo
Sericaia , also known as "sericá," is a traditional Portuguese dessert that has its roots in the Alentejo region. Its origins date back to the period when Portugal was under the strong influence of convents, where nuns often created recipes with simple ingredients such as eggs, sugar, and cinnamon. Sericaia is particularly famous in cities such as Elvas and Vila Viçosa, where it is commonly served with Elvas plums, which are regional sweets protected by geographical indication. Sericaia is a light and fluffy sweet made with eggs, sugar, milk, flour, and cinnamon. Traditionally, the dough is baked in a clay dish, which gives sericaia its characteristic texture, with a cracked surface.
Cod: The Portuguese Tradition
The Vikings were the pioneers in discovering cod, drying it in the open air for preservation. In the mid-14th century, Portugal began to link fishing and salting. During the Discoveries in the 15th century, the Portuguese discovered that cod was the perfect food for long sea voyages and began fishing for it in the waters of the northern Atlantic. Cod is traditionally dried and salted, preserving its nutritional properties. Portugal has a quality cod processing industry and exports to countries such as Brazil, France, Angola and Italy. Cod is a rich source of proteins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids, and is considered a healthy food. It can be prepared in different ways, such as: Gomes de Sá style, Brás style, with cream, roasted with potatoes, etc.
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Discover some interesting facts about Portuguese Gastronomy
The Traditional Sausage of Portugal
Alheira is a traditional sausage in Portuguese cuisine, with a famous version in Mirandela. It is a horseshoe-shaped smoked sausage filled with meat of different species, bread and seasonings. Supposedly, it was created by Jews in the 15th century in Portugal to disguise the consumption of pork, prohibited in the Jewish religion, in order to avoid persecution by the Inquisition. The recipe also ended up being appreciated by Christians, who added pork. Alheira is often grilled or roasted, served with side dishes such as potatoes, vegetables or rice, and is even enjoyed as an appetizer in some places, served with bread.
The Portuguese Delight of Popular Festivals
Roasted sardines are a traditional dish in Portugal, especially during the festivals of popular saints. Originally from Sardinia, these sardines were essential for feeding rural families. Normally, they are seasoned with coarse salt, placing them on a double grill over the coals, without flame, roasting over low heat, normally accompanied by roasted peppers and boiled potatoes. They should be enjoyed by placing them on top of a thick slice of bread, allowing the bread to absorb the flavor and natural fat of the sardines.
The Tasty Tradition of Porto
Francesinha is a delicacy originating from Porto, Portugal, made with two slices of lightly toasted bread, filled with beef steak, sausage, mortadella, fresh sausage and cheese. The sandwich is covered with several slices of cheese and placed in the oven until melted. The most important ingredient is the hot and spicy sauce. The story goes that it was created in the fifties, by a Portuguese named Daniel David Silva, who, having been an emigrant in France, used as inspiration one of the most typical sandwiches in France, the “Croque-Monsieur”, but adapted to the taste and gastronomic culture of the city of Porto. The quality of the meat and bread, as well as the diversity of alcoholic beverages in the sauce, influence the flavor of Francesinha, making it a beloved delicacy in the region.
The Wealth of Regional Flavors and Traditions
Portuguese stew is a traditional Portuguese dish, with regional variations. The basic recipe includes beef, pork and chicken, beef and blood chorizo, farinheira and black pudding, Portuguese cabbage and savoy cabbage, carrots, potatoes and turnips. Regional variations may include ingredients such as fatty chicken, ham, salpicão, pork snout, alheira, rice, corn, pig ear, beef chorizo, blood chorizo, sausage, lamb, green beans, sweet potato, mint, yam and smoked bacon, depending on the region of Portugal where the dish is prepared.
The Oldest Cheese in Portugal
Serra da Estrela PDO Cheese is the oldest cheese in Portugal, originating in the Serra da Estrela region. This cheese is made with raw milk from sheep of the Bordaleira da Serra da Estrela or Churra Mondegueira breeds. It is known for its creamy texture and buttery spread. There are two varieties: one with a semi-soft texture and yellowish white color (Queijo Serra da Estrela) and the other with a semi-hard to extra-hard texture and a brownish-orange color (Queijo Serra da Estrela Velho). Its history dates back to Roman times and was mentioned in the works of poet Gil Vicente in the Middle Ages. In 1287, King Dom Diniz established the first cheese factory in Celorico da Beira, in the Serra da Estrela region, becoming a nutritious and lasting food source for explorers. In 1885, the cheese arrived in Lisbon and Porto, increasing its popularity.
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