Try the Best Spicy Dishes of Portuguese Cuisine

Portuguese cuisine is a uniqueness of its own. The cuisine of Portugal is heaped in tradition and old school culinary ingredients.

Located on the coast means it is in a prime location for fishing. Therefore, it is not surprising that the main by product of the Portuguese diet is in fact fish. The history of Portuguese cuisine has something of a gallant aspect for which they have much to be prove of. For it was the Portuguese who introduced to the world and Europe in particular the fine culinary ingredients also known as spices?

Initially only found in the Far East, spices such as coriander, pepper, ginger, curry, saffron and paprika were used to enhance and enrich the traditional Portuguese meal. These very spices that we all use today in one way or another came from the shores of Portugal centuries ago. Ironically, long ago these very spices were used to barter for everything you could possibly imagine. Instead, today would require resorting the modern day currency equivalency to make the same general purchases.

Early Portugal was known for its wealth of both olives and wine causing them to be the envy of even the Romans. Traveling to lands further a field meant that the adventure spirited Portuguese would be the first Europeans to take to countries like China, Japan and even Ethiopia. Bringing back even more varieties of then unknown food products such rice, peanuts, pineapples, peppers, potatoes and coffee that today make up their very distinctive Portuguese cuisine foundation.

• Caldo Verde

One of the most popular Portuguese dishes is the “caldo verde“, emerald green from the province of Minho. In Portuguese cuisine it is said to be a must. Consisting of green cabbage shredded cooked in a light stock of potatoes and olive oil along with a few slices of Portuguese pork sausage (”chouriço“). It is described as simply delicious!

• Cozido

Another popular dish to be enjoyed is the “cozido.” This is known as a national dish and is often compared to that of the very important Irish “beef and cabbage.” Do not forget the try the oh so tasty “caldeirada” which consists of the nations best fish from is coastal shores.

• Bacalhau

But, nothing really can ever compare to the fantastic fish dishes of Portugal. In one of the world greatest fishing producing countries is also where you will find some of the world greatest fish dishes around. As fish is of course the staple product of the Portuguese diet do not pass on the gastronomical experience that is the “bacalhau“, dried codfish as this dish is served up in traditional Portuguese homes at least several times a week because it is just the good.

Other great fish dishes to try are the sole (”Iinguado“), the red mullet (”salmonete“), the swordfish (”peixe espada“) and the conger eel (”eiroz“).

Photo of chili pepper and Caldo Verde originally posted by Blude

Topic:  Restaurants & Food | 2 Comments
Tags:  food, Portugal

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Kesha, a poet and freelancer writer, embraces individuality. I am a passionate lover of freedom and expression. I also enjoy writing and communicate to all levels of media. Most of all enjoys the challenge of writing and formulating ideas.