Courtesy of Portugal Today.

Portugal recently chose it’s seven gastronomic wonders.

Mirandela sausage, Serra da Estrela cheese, caldo verde, seafood rice, grilled sardines, Bairrada suckling pig and Belém custard tarts are the culinary delights elected by the public as the best the country has to offer.

“The 7 wonders” is a competition where Portugal‘s greatest assets and passions are assessed. The initiative aims to disseminate and promote the national gastronomic heritage which is known all over the world for its diversity, unique flavours and quality.

Traditional food has been chosen as a starting point, but a contemporary approach by famous chefs will not be left out.

The final choices were made by public voting.

A total of seven delicacies were chosen from the 21 finalists in seven different categories. Traditional dishes were the major winners of the competition.

If you are visitingPortugalbe sure to try at least some of them, as they are a definite part of the Portuguese identity.

Entrées

Alheira de Mirandela

1. Alheira de Mirandela (Mirandela sausage), a smoky poultry and bread sausage which can be served either grilled or fried. It has a vinegary taste too, which cuts into its smokiness and fattiness. The Alheira comes from the northern regions of Trás-os-Montes and AltoDouro.

Queijo da Serra

2. Queijo da Serra (Serra da Estrela cheese), a matured buttery cheese made from sheep’s milk. It is considered the best cheese in Portugal and can be eaten on its own. It is commonly used in other dishes due to its distinctive flavour. It comes from the mountainous region of the Serra da Estrela.

Soups

Caldo Verde

3. Caldo Verde (green broth) is a kale and potato soup usually accompanied with chouriço sausage. It is a thick soup with green as its predominant colour. The soup is traditionally served in clay bowls, with a sprinkle of olive oil, slices of chouriço sausage and a slice of broa de milho (corn bread). Originally from the northern region of Minho, it has become a national staple.

Seafood

Arroz de Marisco

4. Arroz de Marisco, a very well know seafood rice dish made with seafood stock, prawns and crab claws. This dish is very soupy and is served in vast quantities. It can be very expensive and comes from the central regions of Estremadura and Ribatejo.

Fish

Sardinha assada

5. Sardinha Assada (grilled sardines), a staple food eaten by the majority of the Portuguese in the summer, it is usually accompanied with bread, salad and boiled potatoes. Often seen in the Algarve, and an icon of Lisbon’s festivities during the summer, it can be found on every coastal restaurant’s menu. Grilled sardines are in fact a gastronomic institution.

Meat

Leitão da Bairrada

6. Leitão da Bairrada (Bairrada suckling pig), calls to mind the image of a pig with an orange in its mouth. Roasted suckling pig is much more succulent than normal pork, and can be served either hot or cold with thin-sliced fried potatoes, a sauce boat of pepper sauce and salad. Leitão can be found all over the country but it is originally from Bairrada, a part of the central region of Beira Litoral. Mealhada is the main town producing this dish.

Sweets

Pastel de Belem

7. The Pastel de Belém, is a must if you visit Lisbon. The custard tart is usually bought in Belém, a historic district were the café and factory that make them is located. Known as the original version of the ubiquitous ‘pastel de nata’, the pastel de Belém is crispy and buttery. You can eat it with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top. It is originally from Lisbon.