4 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in Vila Nova De Gaia

Traditionally associated with Porto, francesinha is a unique sandwich consisting of toasted bread, beef or pork, sausages, ham, and cheese, while the whole combination is then doused in a rich beer-infused tomato sauce. The sandwich has different variations that include mushrooms, chicken, or vegetables. Francesinha is not a sandwich you can enjoy on the go or as a quick snack; it is a wholesome meal that is usually found on the menus of traditional restaurants where it is served as a nutritious lunch or dinner. Among the numerous stories about its origin, one stands out, claiming that it was inspired by the famous croque-monsieur, a French sandwich enjoyed by many Portuguese immigrants. According to the story, a Portuguese immigrant Daniel David Silva first served the sandwich at the Regaleira restaurant. He adapted the French version with traditional Portuguese ingredients and created a dish that is today considered as one of the classics of Portuguese national cuisine. The sandwich is usually served with French fries on the side, and it is sometimes topped with a fried egg. Expand

Bacalhau à bras is a simple Portuguese dish consisting of cooked and shredded salt cod, fried potato strips, onions, eggs, and olives. A delicious combination of flavors and textures results in an incredibly satisfying dish that is popular throughout the country. It is usually garnished with parsley and served hot, while the potatoes are still crispy. Believed to have originated in the Lisbon quarter Bairro Alto, today bacalhau à bras is one of the most famous Portuguese salt cod dishes.Expand

Cod-based dishes are a Portuguese staple, and it is often suggested that there are more than one thousand recipes in which dried and salted cod is the star ingredient. This includes simple, everyday dishes, as well as more elaborate versions that are usually served on special occasions, including Christmas Eve and Good Friday. Interestingly, cod is traditionally not caught off the Portuguese coast, but it became a prominent ingredient in the traditional cuisine during the exploration era because it could be stored for longer periods. Salted cod is primarily soaked in water, and later it can be used in a variety of ways, which include grilling, cooking, frying, or braising. Some of the most popular salt cod dishes in Portugal include crispy bolinhos de bacalhau fritters, creamy bacalhau com natas, Lisbon's favorite bacalhau a bras, and a Christmas Eve staple bacalhau com todos.Expand

Bacalhau com natas is one of the most famous Portuguese dishes made with salted cod. The dish is a combination of soaked or boiled cod topped with diced fried potatoes, generously doused with cream and baked until golden brown in color. Since it is extremely popular, it appears in numerous versions. The dish often incorporates onions, béchamel sauce instead of cream, cheese, white wine, and a variety of spices. A staple restaurant dish, bacalhau com natas is also an indispensable part of Portuguese Christmas tradition.Expand