Before we return to what goes into Portuguese and Brazilian cooking , I thought it would be nice to take a little walking tour of the culinary regions of Portugal. There are approximately 12 regions that comprise the country known as Portugal. In my next series of articles I will be discussing them either individually or in groups.
Portugal is not a large country, but it is a country rich in history, music, and religion. It was at one time a world power back in the times of the explorers. It was a country that was not afraid to discover what the rest of the world was like and many trade routes were discovered thanks to the Portuguese. It was a country of explorers, traders, slavers and warriors. It is also a country devote in Catholic religion. It is the seat of one of the most famous religious miracles in history; the appearance of the Virgin Mary at Fatima to three small children during the final years of the First World War. It is a cherished place of the present day Pope due to his devotion to the Holy Mother.
Portugal may not be the giant that it used to be in the 11th to the 15th centuries. There are no more explorers except for those who contribute to the world in business, technology, sports and entertainment. There are no more slavers and warriors. Portugal is a relatively peaceful country and a favorite place for tourists and celebrities. Portugal's resorts are world renown. It is still a large exporter of fine food products and Portuguese wines and ports are among the best in the world. It is a country rich in culture. Called Meditterean, it never really touches the Meditterean Sea, but it is so full of the same flavor, uniqueness, versatility and style of other Meditterean countries it qualifies in every respect.
Portugal is the homeland of millions of emigrants around the world and it is not unusual to see line ups of Portuguese every year preparing to return to their cities or villages to get a feel of home once again. It is still a popular custom to be transported back to one's homeland for burial and you will still come across women who believe in the old traditions of wearing black for the rest of their lives when their spouses die.
But it is not in any way a country locked in the past. It was the center of the last World's Fair and is a bustling country blending the old with the new. It is also a country with an aroma that fills your culinary heart with the desire to become your own explorer. And this is what we will do for the next few weeks. We will trek across the country and explore for
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