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The photos are taken with friendly permission of RTA(Região Turismo do Algarve) from the website www.visitalgarve.pt
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Discover Algarvian cuisine |
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An impressive variety of dishes using fish and shellfish and a varied assortment of meat and game dishes |
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The Algarve - a landscape of rolling hills and valleys, dotted with olive, carob, almond, fig, and orange trees - a vast coastline overlooking the endless waters of the Atlantic. It comes as no surprise then that the Algarve’s cuisine has developed in two directions. An impressive variety of dishes using fish and shellfish on the one side, and a varied assortment of meat and game dishes on the other.
Outside culinary influences are few and so traditional home cooking has taken on a vital significance, with recipes passed down through families and the ages. Odd really, as it was Portugal who first brought ingredients like pepper, coriander, ginger, curry, saffron and paprika to Europe, not to mention tea, rice, coffee, peanuts, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.
Those foreign influences that did manage to leave their mark on the dinner table include the Goths who introduced stews to the nation – which today constitute a major part of the local diet. More importantly the Moorish occupation of the Algarve was to give the area it own regional flavour – not only in the interesting variety of cakes and sweetmeats, but also with “Xarém”, a dish made with maize meal and shellfish.
As in the rest of the country Algarvios enjoy their drink. The Algarve’s wines are certainly worth a try but for a more distinguished tipple you should try something produced outside the region. In the summer a cool glass of “vinho verde” – a fresh slightly sparkling wine – is hard to beat.
After tucking into a warming “feijoada”(bean stew) or “caldeirada” (fish stew), or sitting down to a plate of freshly grilled fish or meat, locals like to wash it all down with a glass or two of locally produced “aguardente”. This potent spirit comes is many forms, but the most famous regional brew is known as “medronho”, and is made from fruit of the arbutus tree growing in the Monchique hills. Other treats awaiting you include the ubiquitous port wine, excellent coffee, tasty meat and fish snacks, and some truly delicious cheeses.
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