Portugal christmas food

 Every major holiday in Portugal has its own seasonal dishes and sweets, and Christmas is no exception. Throughout Portugal, there is a wide variety of traditional Christmas foods, dishes and desserts. Christmas traditions in Portugal include lots of good food. Starting in mid-November, you will find many typical Christmas sweets in all bakeries and supermarkets.

Bacalhau

No Christmas in Portugal is complete without the star ingredient of the Portuguese country, bacalhau or salt cod.

Locally caught fish is usually eaten on Christmas Eve when families enjoy a light meal known as "Consoada". All you have to do is decide how you want to serve your bacalhau. Some of the most common ways to prepare it are Pastéis de Bacalhau, cod fritters, or Bacalhau da Consoada, boiled cod with potatoes, cabbage, carrots and hard-boiled eggs with a drizzle of olive oil. Another common option for adventurers is Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá. This involves boiling the cod with potatoes and onions placed in a bowl, topped with a hard-boiled egg, baked in the oven, and topped off with olives, chopped parsley, olive oil, and a touch of garlic.

Roasted kid in the oven

Beyond Portugal's iconic bacalhau, there are other dishes that are also very popular during the Christmas holidays, especially in inland regions. Many people celebrate Christmas and New Year dinners with “cabrito assado no forno”, which is basically juicy oven-roasted lamb and crispy roast potatoes. This is one of the most typical and traditional dishes in Portugal and it is the perfect dish for those who want to try the authentic Portuguese flavors. This hearty Christmas dinner is even better when served with a nice glass of Douro red wine.