Bizarre, Fantastic And Extremely Particular Meals Festivals

Sea Urchins in Ericeira

Ericeira could also be often called the surf capital of Europe, however these shores additionally flip up some glorious seafood. Native son Nuno Nobre, who grew up plying the waters right here along with his fisherman father, has been organizing the Festival do Ouriço do Mar (worldwide competition of sea urchins) in honor of the spiky shellfish for the previous six years. (March will see the seventh version.) In the course of the competition, the native market will likely be taken over by pop-up snack outlets, present cooking, academic talks and demonstrations with Portuguese and worldwide cooks. There’s additionally a scientific element, with investigations into the ecosystem and discussions round preserving biodiversity. March 10-19, 2023

Sheep Milk Cheese in Oliveira do Hospital

The cheese from Portugal’s mountains is so distinctive—and beloved—that it has protected designation of origin standing (like a DOC for wine) and a giant occasion to have fun it. The Festa do Queijo da Serra da Estrela, in the foothills city of Oliveira do Hospital, is an occasion that captures a variety of native consideration, and the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has been recognized to point out up. This yr, the organizers expect some 300 exhibitors, not solely cheese makers but in addition producers of sausages, honey, wine, spirits, bread and truffles. The conclusion is the presentation of what they name the most important recent cheese on the earth—weighing in at greater than 150 kilos—which is served to visitors with freshly made pumpkin jam. March 11-12, 2023

Lamb in Vila Viçosa

Whereas this gastronomic competition is formally referred to as Vila Viçosa à Mesa (‘to the desk”) it’s actually a weeklong celebration of lamb, a dish that’s conventional to the area and usually served to have fun Easter. A few dozen eating places round Vila Viçosa—often called the “princess of the Alentejo” for its royal historical past and palaces—will supply particular dishes to commemorate the season. TBA, April

Pork Sandwiches in Vendas Novas

In 2011, the municipality of Vendas Novas registered its bifanas—pounded pork steaks fried in a “secret sauce” and served on bread with garlic and paprika—as a trademark. Within the self-styled capital of the sandwiches, the Feira da Bifana combines meals with concert events, dance performances, artisan markets and leisure for youngsters. TBA, Might

Cherries in Fundão

Festa da Cereja (competition of cherries) is a three-day celebration of fruit held simply outdoors Fundão, a historic metropolis close to a few of Portugal’s most lovely historic villages, in an space that occurs to provide exceptionally high quality cherries. Together with a lot of alternatives for consuming, the proceedings embrace markets, exhibitions, road leisure, concert events and a vacationer prepare via the orchards. June 9–11, 2023

Sardines in Portimão

Granted, all of Portugal turns into one thing of a sardine competition in June, when the fish are grilled and eaten on the streets to have fun varied cities’ patron saints. However Portimão’s Festival da Sardinha in August, when the fish might be eaten recent, is its personal special day. Together with the meals, the competition has a lineup of musicians from varied genres, who play for a number of hours every night time on two phases. TBA, August

Oxheart Tomatoes within the Douro Valley

Created by a pair of journalists from Portugal’s main newspaper, the annual Festa do Tomate Coração de Boi honors the nation’s greatest tomatoes—these funky, pinkish, vaguely heart-shaped ones—with a particular lunch in one of many Douro Valley’s prime wineries, a critical competitors (with different journalists, winemakers and meals producers as judges) and an awards ceremony and backyard occasion with the largest unfold of tomato-centric appetizers I’ve ever seen. The primary weekend additionally contains a day of workshops and tastings, and for just a few weeks, many eating places within the area will promote dishes that showcase tomatoes. TBA August

Brown Crabs in Santa Cruz

This may mark the twenty seventh version of the Festival da Sapateira, the brown crabs which can be thought of a particular delicacy. (It’s typically served in its shell, combined with roe, mayonnaise, mustard and typically beer..) For a full month, eating places across the seashore city of Santa Cruz will supply all-you-can-eat promotions for a hard and fast value. TBA, September and October

Chestnuts in Marvão

A convention for almost 40 years, Feira da Castanha (honest of chestnuts) is about greater than the comfy winter nut. Quite, the occasion in Marvão is a celebration of the agricultural traditions of the hilly northern Alentejo, with a selected deal with commemorating the day of St. Martin with roasted chestnuts and the primary younger wines of the yr’s grape harvest. There’s additionally a marketplace for native merchandise—together with embroidery made with chestnut again and baskets made with chestnut wooden—exhibitions, conventional folks singing and circus actions. November 11–12, 2023

Candy Potatoes in Aljezur

The candy potatoes from the coastal city of Aljezur, the place the Alentejo meets the Algarve, are stated to be the perfect within the nation—or the world, in keeping with the organizers of the annual Festival da Batata-doce. They’ve their very own protected geographical indication (once more, form of like a DOC for wine) and are stated to be uniquely flavorful. These organizers anticipate to have greater than 90 exhibitors, who will supply varied conventional potato-based snacks and a few new recipes. The sweets-makers of the area are additionally out in drive, serving their many truffles, pies and pastries. The concert events, with name-brand Portuguese musicians, will final till 2am. November 25–27, 2023

Hen Stew in Varied Locations

Cabidela is a type of nose-to-tail dishes that have a tendency to point out up on English menus merely as a hen stew; actually, a key ingredient is the hen’s blood, combined with vinegar and added virtually on the finish, whereas the rice is boiling. Whereas it’s related to Minho, within the nation’s north, there’s not a city that organizes a competition. Quite, meals impresario Paulo Amado has created a nationwide occasion sequence—Ordem da Cabidela—that options lunches and dinners in well-regarded eating places (some with Michelin stars) with the stew as the primary attraction.