1. Queijo de Ovelha (Sheep Cheese)This cheese is so creamy that you can scoop it with a spoon! Made from sheep’s milk in the mountains of Serra da Estrela, families have made it for hundreds of years. Fun fact: A Portuguese sheep cheese just won “Best Cheese in the World” in 2024! Find it wrapped in cloth at grocery stores like Continente. Try it like a local: Spread it on pão de Rio Maior (crusty bread) for breakfast.
2. Moelas (Chicken Gizzards)Don’t let the name scare you! Long ago, people cooked gizzards because they couldn’t waste any food. Now, it’s a yummy stew with tomatoes, onions, and wine. Where to eat it: Tiny bars in Lisbon (like “O Trevo”) serve it with bread. My first time: I thought it’d be chewy, but it’s soft and tastes like garlicky tomato soup!
3. Leitão (Roasted Baby Pig)In Northern Portugal, they roast whole pigs until the skin cracks like glass! The meat is so juicy, they only add salt and garlic. Best spot: Head to Mealhada town. Pro tip: Order a “sanduícha de leitão” (pig sandwich) at “Pedro dos Leitões.” The crispy skin mixed with soft bread is magic.
4. Alheira (Secret Sausage)This sausage has a sneaky history! Jewish people in Portugal long ago made it with chicken (not pork) to hide their religion. Now, it’s smoky, garlicky, and fried crispy. Where to try: Go to Mirandela village. Local secret: Eat it with a fried egg on top!
5. Carne de Porco à Alentejana (Pork + Clams)Pork and clams? Yes! Farmers near the ocean mixed their pork with fresh clams. The sauce is garlic, paprika, and white wine. Look for: Restaurants with “Prato do Dia” (daily special) signs. My favorite part: The fried potatoes soaking up the sauce!
6. Percebes (Goose Barnacles)These look like dinosaur toes but taste like the sea! Fishermen risk climbing slippery rocks to collect them. How to eat: Twist the top off and suck out the meat. Try them: At seafood shacks in Nazaré. Fair warning: They’re pricey but worth one bite!
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Why Trust Me? I’ve lived in Portugal for 3 years, eaten at over 200 local spots, and even learned to cook these dishes! Always ask for “comida tradicional” (traditional food) – that’s where the real flavors hide.
Final Tip: If a menu has pictures of tourist foods (like codfish cakes), walk a few streets away. The best meals are in places where grandma’s in the kitchen!
P.S. Vegans, I didn’t forget you! Portugal has amazing bean stews and rice dishes – ask for “comida vegetariana” next time!
