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Easter bookings for Portugal are growing, which means extra guests than ever could have a possibility to find one other facet to the Iberian nation’s legendary delicacies. After attempting some much-loved Portuguese Easter meals final yr, I rapidly realized that I’d made an enormous mistake not visiting right now of yr earlier than!
I want I may embrace a few of my favourite regional Easter specialties in my Lisbon meals excursions or Porto meals excursions, however most of those dishes are solely obtainable throughout and after the Lenten interval. Nevertheless, this makes them really feel a little bit extra particular!
On this article, I’ve damaged down all of the best Portuguese Easter meals and included suggestions for the place to search out them.
The Significance of Easter Meals in Portugal
Easter is taken into account essentially the most sacred time of yr for Catholics. On condition that Portugal has had a predominantly Catholic inhabitants for hundreds of years, it’s no surprise that locals take their Easter celebrations critically.
Meals, after all, is entrance and middle all through Lent and Easter, serving each as a spiritual image and a way of bringing the group collectively. Whereas conventional Portuguese Easter desserts are usually the most well-liked seasonal choices, there are many savory options for these with much less of a candy tooth.
Lots of the dishes are very a lot aligned with basic Portuguese flavors, and since Catholics keep away from meat each Friday throughout Lent, favorites like bacalhau, which is salted codfish, are much more in style than normal!
Prime Conventional Portuguese Easter Meals
Folar da Pascoa
I can’t speak about Portuguese Easter meals with out mentioning folar da Pascoa. This Easter bread is available in candy and savory varieties, however the latter is essentially the most conventional folar da Pascoa. Bea in Porto says:
“The custom of folar is linked to the act of providing bread as a present throughout Easter, particularly between godparents and godchildren. Previously, godchildren would go to their godparents on Palm Sunday to obtain a blessing, and in return, they might be given folar on Easter Sunday.”
It’s sometimes made out of flour, sugar, butter, and eggs and is flavored with anise and cinnamon. Within the middle, you’ll often discover hard-boiled eggs to symbolize the resurrection. The bread differs relying on the place within the nation it’s made, however I really like the evenly candy model from Padeirinha Doce in Porto.
Bacalhau
Bacalhau is arguably Portugal’s most iconic meals. This dried and salted cod is used to create a plethora of flavorful dishes all yr spherical, that are becoming selections on Fridays throughout Lent when many locals select to keep away from meat.
The Lisbon area is especially well-known for its bacalhau, together with Sintra’s bacalhau espiritual, a casserole made out of cod, béchamel sauce, bread, and carrots. It’s usually solely obtainable as a particular, and I snagged some at Bacalhau na Vila.
Pão de Ló
Pão de ló is a much-loved candy Portuguese Easter meals. It’s a comparatively easy sponge cake made out of flour, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of lemon.
This pleasant dessert is believed to have been first crafted in a monastery within the Oeste e Vale do Tejo area between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries. Should you occur to make it to Alcobaca, make your option to Pastelaria Alcôa for some sensational pão de ló!
Amêndoas
Amêndoas, which is the Portuguese phrase for ‘almonds,’ could seem to be a shocking addition to this checklist. Nevertheless, at Easter, locals take pleasure in these crunchy nuts with a layer of sugar or chocolate, and their resemblance to eggs means this snack is taken into account an emblem of rebirth or new life.
Almond manufacturing has lengthy been related to the Algarve area, and I’ve picked up sugar-covered variations in varied shops like O Cabaz Algarvio in Faro.
Cabrito Assado
Cabrito assado is commonly the culinary spotlight of the Easter Sunday celebrations in Portugal. Translating to ‘roasted goat,’ cabrito assado is likely one of the most symbolic Easter meals in Portugal and is assumed to replicate the paschal lamb from the Outdated Testomony.As such, some individuals swap out the goat meat for lamb.
The goat or lamb is slow-roasted till tender and is seasoned with garlic, paprika, white wine, and bay leaves. This dish hails from northern Portugal, so I counsel attempting it in Porto‘s very good A Cozinha do Manel.
Regional Easter Meals Traditions
Portugal has a prolonged checklist of regional Easter specialties. Though most dishes can be found throughout the nation, some can solely be present in particular areas. Listed below are the highest meals to pattern by area.
Lisbon: Bacalhau
Northern: Cabrito assado
Central: Ovos moles
Alentejo: Ensopado de borrego
Algarve: Amêndoas
Oeste e Vale do Tejo: Pão de ló
Conclusion
Visiting Portugal throughout Semana Santa is an extremely enriching expertise for foodies and tradition buffs alike. In relation to Portuguese Easter meals, you may count on all the typical native flavors with some tasty twists!
Sources
Cash Tourism. (2024, April 5). 16.8% enhance in Easter 2025 bookings – Spain and Portugal within the prime positions. https://money-tourism.gr/en/16-8-increase-in-easter-2025-bookings-spain-and-portugal-in-the-top-positions/
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Lisbon meals excursions & culinary experiences. https://www.eatingeurope.com/lisbon/
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Porto meals excursions & culinary experiences. https://www.eatingeurope.com/porto
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Padeirinha Doce, Porto. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g189180-d3958680-Opinions-Padeirinha_Doce-Porto_Porto_District_Northern_Portugal.html
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Bacalhau na Vila, Sintra. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g189164-d12609293-Opinions-Bacalhau_na_Vila-Sintra_Sintra_Municipality_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html
Pastelaria Alcôa. (n.d.). Pastelaria Alcôa. http://www.pastelaria-alcoa.com/
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). O Cabaz Algarvio, Faro. https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g189116-d19932317-Opinions-O_Cabaz_Algarvio-Faro_Faro_District_Algarve.html
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). A Cozinha Do Manel, Porto. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g189180-d3136043-Opinions-A_Cozinha_Do_Manel-Porto_Porto_District_Northern_Portugal.html
