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Delight yourself with the seven wonders of Portuguese gastronomy
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Portugal is a country that has a lot to offer and a large national heritage to discover. Apart from everything there is to see and to do in our country, you should know that there is also a lot of delicious food to try. With an incredible gastronomic heritage, there are several culinary wonders that you should definitely try. Discover our country in the company of Guerin, enjoy the richness of Portuguese cuisine and find out the 7 wonders of Portuguese gastronomy that make this country unique.
7 wonders of Portuguese Gastronomy
Portuguese people have a strong passion for food and culinary. Therefore, it is clear that this country has a lot to offer when it comes to gastronomy. Despite being a small country, Portugal’s cuisine is very diverse, and it is also full of history and tradition. Starting with its delicious fresh fish dishes, passing through the typical meat dishes and ending with the conventual sweets, whether due to the cooking process or due to the superior quality of their ingredients, each one of these dishes has an authentic flavor and an excellent quality.
1. Pastel de Belém
Who doesn’t like a Pastel de Belém? If you have never tried this pastry product, we are sure that, at least, you have already heard about it. After all, this is one of the country’s symbols and it is one of the main references of Portuguese pastry and gastronomy.
This sweet pastry started to be cooked in 1837, in Belém, Lisbon, according to a secret recipe from the Jerónimos Monastery. A recipe that is still the same today and that is only known by the pastry chefs of Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém, the only place where the original and delicious Pastéis de Belém are made.
2. Grilled Sardines
The grilled sardines are a typical Portuguese dish, much appreciated by the Portuguese people and all the tourists that visit the country. Whether it is served with bread or cornbread, the grilled sardine is a dish that can’t be missing on the tables during summer, especially during the celebrations of the Portuguese Popular Saints. The Portuguese sardine, a high-quality fish, was in 2010, the first fishing in the European Union to achieve the blue MSC label, a certificate that assures its sustainability.
3. Bairrada roast suckling pig
In addition to a good fish dish, the Portuguese are also big fans of a tasty meat dish. Bairrada suckling pig is one of the wonders of Portuguese gastronomy, being a product recognized by the Regional Tourism Entity in the Center of Portugal. The roasted suckling pig is a typical dish from the Bairrada region, cooked by several restaurants in this region and attracting thousands of suckling pig lovers there every year. The quality of the meat is related to the suckling pig breed, but also to the way it is cooked. The seasoning used and the way that it slowly roasts in a wood fire oven give the Bairrada suckling pig a unique and delicious flavor.
4. Seafood Rice
Portugal is a country with a strong connection to the sea, which is also reflected in its cuisine. A perfect example of this connection is the famous seafood rice, which is a dish that delights all lovers of mollusks and crustaceans. Cooked with shrimp, lobster and clams, the seafood rice of Vieira de Leiria Beach is one of the most famous in Portugal and it is the perfect meal to enjoy by the sea.
5. Alheira de Mirandela
In the north of the country, the region of Trás-Os-Montes is known for its delicious smoked meat. Butelo, chouriço and farinheira are only some examples of smoked meat products that you can find in this region. The true wonder of Portuguese gastronomy is the Alheira de Mirandela was distinguished with the certification of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and it is the most famous and the most consumed smoked meat in the country. This alheira is generally grilled, roasted or fried and it is eaten as a starter dish.
6. Serra da Estrela Cheese
The Serra da Estrela Cheese comes from the center region of the country, from Serra da Estrela, as you can tell by the name. This soft cheese is made with raw milk from Bordaleira Serra da Estrela sheep, thistle flower and salt and it is cured for at least 30 days.
The high quality of this product has assured this product several prizes, namely, some gold medals in international competitions and the certificate of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
7. Caldo Verde
Caldo Verde is a traditional Portuguese kale soup, which recipe was originally written in verse. This dish from the Minho region, has always been very present in the Portuguese culture, and it is, nowadays, eaten in every region of the country and considered as a wonder of Portuguese gastronomy. Traditionally, this nutritious soup is cooked in an iron pot, and it is served in clay bowls with chorizo and cornbread.
Discover the wonders of Portuguese gastronomy with Guerin
From north to south of the country, there is a lot of gastronomy to discover and taste. Get to know Portugal and its gastronomic wonders with Guerin. Find out the several Guerin stations that you can find all over the country, rent a car in Portugal and explore the amazing Portuguese cuisine. Since you have a long gastronomic journey ahead of you, we advise you to switch drivers during the trip, so that you can enjoy your vacation in a safer and calmer way. To do that Guerin offers you the possibility of complementing your car rental with a service of additional driver that allows more than one person to drive the vehicle.
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