If we want to fully experience a city, country or destination in general, then we must not bypass food. Food and nutrition are very important to the Portuguese; food is their way of life. Eating a variety of foods "at the table" is a must in Lisbon.
Cod is the national dish in Portugal. They prepare it in as many as 365 ways, one for each day of the year. Cod is rich in omega 3, but it is recommended to eat it in moderation. Of all the cod species, dried cod is the most widely eaten in Portugal.
The CATAPLANA dish shows the cooking style in Portugal in the best way. The name CATAPLANA refers to the meal and the dish in which the meal is prepared, and has been prepared since the VIII century. The copper dish CATAPLANA consists of two round halves, which are connected by a hinge. Cataplana dish is made from several types of fish with solid meat (these include monkfish, cod, gilthead sea bream). The fish is cut into pieces. Shrimp, prawns, mussels or squid and various spices are added to taste.
GREEN SOUP - Where fado music is listened to in Portugal, green soup is served and eaten there. This light soup consists mainly of cabbage, onions and potatoes. A little unusual but very tasty and healthy combination.
PORTUGUESE COSIDO - Although fish is the most common diet in Portugal, for meat lovers there is the Portuguese COSIDO. Cosido can be made of beef, pork or chicken, and includes pork sausages and all kinds of smoked meat. Meat is prepared at home in various ways and is mainly served with vegetables and red wine.
PASTEL DE BELEM is a traditional delicacy of Portugal, which they call "men's cakes". These cakes are prepared for two days, and the secret recipe was kept for almost 200 years, and only three people knew the real recipe until recently. It consists of puff pastry and a very creamy and rich vanilla cream with the addition of lemon juice. About 20.000 of these cookies are sold daily in the old confectionery "Belem". A visit to this patisserie is mandatory, it is decorated with famous white tiles called AZULEJO in Portugal.
WINE: When we talk about the story of Lisbon, we must not omit the story of wine. Wine production in Portugal dates back to the reign of the Roman Empire. Portuguese wines are highly valued today both in Portugal and around the world. The most famous Portuguese wines are Porto, Vinho Verde and Madeira which is banned with indigenous varieties.
Visiting Lisbon and not enjoying the variety of flavors it offers would be a real shame. In an old cobbled street, paved with colorful Lisbon tiles, to the sounds of cheerful Portuguese music and some good Portuguese sunny wine. A complete experience when visiting this cheerful city and cheerful country.
Author of the text:
Maja Glavaš, Bachelor with Honours in Communicology. Works in Tourism.
Contact: [email protected]; instagram: travel_europe1
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
