Algarve Guide Book Portugal

Portuguese

Portuguese Cuisine Portuguese Algarve Food Ready Salad

The Algarve coast is famous for its fish and seafood. The catch is incredibly fresh as there are large fishing towns across the Algarve that bring in the fish every morning.

As a starter you will receive olives, paste, local cheese and fresh bread for which there is usually a small cover charge.

Seafood in a Pot Portuguese Food Algarve

In terms of wine, there are some interesting local alternatives to try. To go with fish try Vinho Verde (green wine) which is a lightly naturally carbonated white wine with a slighlty lower alcohol level than standard table wine.

The region has also begun to embrace food from other cultures as there are plenty of ex-patriates from across Europe and beyond.

The main dishes are:

ameijoas na cataplana - clams cooked in a special cataplana pan

sardinhas - sardines on the Algarve are reputed to be in top three for quality in the world usually served gilled simply with salt and olive oil they will be incredibly fresh - usually caught a few hours before.

bacalhau - salted cod, there are many dishes based on this like bacalhau Ã minhota

carne de porco Ã alentejana - fried pork with clams

leite-creme - a custard based dessert

cozido Ã portuguesa - Portuguese stew with a mix of meat and vegetables

Click here for the Wikipedia page on Portuguese Cuisine

Cataplana with clams