Fish
I would like to go vegetarian but
the thing that stops me is my love of fish; I eat it several times a week and
would be lost without it in my diet! Some of the best fish dishes I’ve enjoyed
so far were in Lisbon.
Salted cod is popular; this could
be grilled, fried or boiled, and served with various shades of potatoes, fries or
rice, depending on the dish. One evening our hostel owners cooked salted cod
fish cakes with rice and beans for the guests, which was absolutely delicious;
I could have eaten plates of it!
Vinho verde – “green” wine
You’ll find this available in
most restaurants. It’s not actually green – the “green” aspect refers to the
young age of the grape that’s used to make it. It’s a white wine which is
slightly sparkling – not enough to earn it the status of “a sparkling wine”,
but it’s a light and refreshing accompaniment to your meal.
Ginja
You’ll want to buy a bottle of
this Portuguese cherry brandy to bring back with you! It’s a must-try whilst
you’re in Lisbon. If you’re visiting the Castle of São Jorge, look for the
little shop near the entrance where they’ll sell you ginja in a chocolate cup,
which of course you eat after you’ve drunk the liqueur – yum!
Pasteis de nata
You’ll find these delicious
custard tarts in every bakery and café in Lisbon. They originated in one particular
bakery in the Belem area of the city, which usually has a long wait for tables
and a significant queue for take-away, but you’ll find good quality tarts
elsewhere too.
What do you think…have I missed anything fantastic?
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| Me at the real Cascais a few years ago |
I enjoyed drinking port during my trip to the Algarve a few years ago - not sure if it's popular throughout Portugal or just a local thing. The Vinho verde was amazing too!
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