From bacalhau à bras to tripas, from sardinhas to pasteis de nata: the 10 things you absolutely must eat in Portugal.
Portuguese culinary art is a mix of cultures and traditions which, over the centuries, have contributed to making the country a true source of delicacies even for the most intransigent palates. The basic ingredients of the cuisine ofPortugalrevolve around two great natural resources: the waters of the ocean with the freshness of their fish and the flat areas with crops and large pastures.
Fish, shellfish, meat, potatoes and vegetables are therefore the elements that you will find in every typical Portuguese dish, with a great predilection (you will realize it very soon!) for all types of cod and pasteis de nata.
WHAT TO EAT IN PORTUGAL
If you are planning aitinerary on the road among the wonders of Portugal, know that the local cuisine, combined with an excellent wine, will surprise you from every point of view.
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If in your tour you will pass byPort, Lisbon or Aveiro, always remember to choose small family-run taverns or, in general, small restaurants frequented by locals. The prices of the dishes are still very low (about 7/10 euros for a complete meal) but they give great satisfaction. An advice? Always order half portions: whole ones can really be excessive even for the hungriest!
10 TYPICAL DISHES OF PORTUGAL
You can eat a lot of things in Portugal but there are some that are part of the "must to do". I have selected 10 to make your choice easier (be careful because some are recommended only in the areas of origin).
Bacalhau
You will find it in all possible and unimaginable variations. Bacalhau is, without ifs and buts, the national dish of Portugal. It is usually cooked on the grill but, wandering around the country, you can taste different specialties. A must trybacalhau a brás(fried cod with scrambled eggs, potatoes and onions), thebacalhau com natas(cod with cream) and thepastéis de bacalhau(fried cod croquettes). If you are looking for a nice idea to taste all the variations of cod, know that aLisbon you can take a food and wine tour in Tuk Tuk!
Hot Green
Soups represent the typical entrée of Portuguese cuisine and, sometimes, constitute its main and sole dish. Among the most famous stands out theHot Green, soup made from cabbage puree with potatoes and a slice of sausage (Salpicão or Chouriço). Among the fish-based variants are theCaldeirada de lulas à Madeirense, The Caldeirara a Pescador and the agree(based on seafood and vegetables).
Tripas à moda do Porto
Among the typical dishes ofPort(Porto) stands outTripas à moda do Porto, i.e. tripe with white beans. To this is added theCarne de porco à alentejana, typical of the Algarve region, consisting of cooked pork with clams (for the most resistant palates!).
Ovos Moles de Aveiro
They are the typical dessert ofAveiro, the small and picturesque town that rises along the western coast of Portugal. The origin of the ovos moles is very particular (I tell you about it here) and dates back to the times of the nuns who lived in convents. These are wafers of the most disparate shapes that enclose egg yolks mixed with sugar.
Pasteis de Nata and Pasteis de Belém
It is perhaps the national dessert, the one that you will find in every corner of the country and that will make you think that "you haven't really been to Portugal if you haven't tasted the Pasteis de Nata". These small, creamy puff pastries are a real treat for the eyes, heart and taste buds. But be careful not to confuse thePasteis de Nata with the Pasteis de Belém! They may seem similar, and yet… seeing is believing. (Obviously the recipe for the latter is absolutely secret and it is said that, to date, it is only known by four people still alive). And if you want to become a real expert, in Porto you will have the opportunity to participate in aworkshop/cooking course with the secrets of abuela!
Francesinha
It is another of those typical products that you can only taste inPorto (Porto)where she was born. The Francesinha is a sort of sandwich consisting of two slices of bread with sausage, ham, beef (sometimes also cured meats) inside, and then covered with steaming melted cheese. Everything is then baked in a territe and served with a tomato sauce. There are also variants with chicken or just vegetables.
Sardinhas
Sardines are also a strong dish of the Portuguese culinary tradition. There are all kinds, from the boxed ones placed in full view in the shops of theMundo Fantastico da Sardinha Portuguesato those roasted on embers (sardinhas assadas) and served with potatoes and vegetables, from those simply placed on slices of bread to the classic accompanying pates.
Queijo
Among the absolutely must-eat things in Portugal, cheeses cannot be missing. The advice is to order a platter with a different selection of cured meats and queijo. Among the very typical stand out theQuejo de Sao Jorge, The Quejo do Rabaçal, The Quejo de Azeitao and the requeijäo português.
Arroz de Marisco
If you are a rice lover, this is the dish for you. L'roast of seafoodit is halfway between Italian rice and Spanish paella. It is usually prepared in the fish variant with crustaceans, molluscs and vegetables but it also exists with a sardine base (would you have ever guessed that?).
Port wine and green wine
There's no getting around it: wine is a natural part of the typical Portuguese meal. Among those absolutely recommended, the Port stands out (if you are in Porto go for onetasting in one of the ancient cellars of the cityor awine tour by boat along the Douro valley) with and green wine, the white wine (greenish in color) originating from the northern province of Minho.
