Active Weekends and Comfort Food: 3 Ideas for Enjoying Autumn in Portugal

2/10/2023

The new season is here, inviting us to savour dishes that warm the soul and appreciate the autumn's colours in nature. How about taking the opportunity for a weekend getaway for two or with the family? Follow our suggestions and indulge in traditional comfort food, where aromas and flavours fill us with joy. And don't forget: in Portugal, on October 29th, there’s a time change: at 02:00 a.m., the clocks are set back by one hour. Make the most of every moment to embrace this enchanting season.

1- Explore Arrábida: Castles, Terroirs, and Cod Stew

Sana Sesimbra Hotel Espadarte Restaurant 8

Sana Sesimbra Hotel Espadarte Restaurant 3

Discover Arrábida, in the Setúbal region, a natural reservation with a beautiful landscape just 45 minutes from Lisbon. Within a 30 km radius, seven castles and fortresses await you in this mountain range that extends to the sea. Start with the fortresses of Setúbal and end at the castle of Sesimbra, to rest and recharge with a reinvigorating cod stew or the famous clams "à bulhão pato" at the Espadarte Restaurant. Along the way, be enchanted by the golden and reddish tones of the natural landscape and vineyards, and don't miss a visit to the magnificent wine cellars of the region.

2. To the West: A Pumpkin Festival and a Charming Hotel

Sana Silver Coast Hotel Caldas Rainha Exterior 5

From October 27th to 29th, in the famous Lourinhã, land of dinosaurs, another great Pumpkin Festival will take place. How about exploring this local gastronomic treasure on a family program? The giant pumpkins of this region are emblematic, and this star ingredient offers a unique culinary versatility! You can taste it in various ways, be it in soups, more elaborate dishes, or even in desserts or jams. Also, take the opportunity to shop for your Halloween decorations. If you have an extra day to enjoy, head to Caldas da Rainha and relax in style at the SANA Silver Coast Hotel.

3. From North to South: Kickstart the Season of Portuguese Stew

Sana Metropolitan Hotel Lisboa Astrolabio Restaurante Terrace 1

Sana Metropolitan Hotel Lisboa Astrolabio Restaurant 6

If there were a museum of Portuguese gastronomy, “Cozido à Portuguesa” or Portuguese Stew would certainly be the highlight. The ultimate traditional comfort food dish of the national table is a relic with origins dating back to the 17th century. Domingos Rodrigues, a cook in the Royal Portuguese Palace, considered it a rich dish, featuring partridges, rabbit, and pigeons. There are various versions of this plate, from North to South. In Lisbon, it's prepared with heart and in accordance with tradition at the Astrolábio Restaurant, available on Thursdays for lunch. But you’re far away from Portugal, you can always treat the family to a Sunday lunch banquet with this traditional recipe:

Autumn Recipe: The typical Portuguese Stew

Ingredients

Meats: Beef for boiling, 1/2 Chicken, Spare ribs, Pork ear, Chorizo, Sausage, Blood sausage, Portuguese farinheira sausage, Bacon, Pigs feet
Vegetables: Savoy cabbage, Portuguese cabbage, Turnips, Carrots, Potatoes, Mint
Others: Cooked beans or chickpeas, rice

Preparation

Salt the meats the night before.
In a pot of water, start by boiling the beef. Later, add the meats that cook more quickly: gradually add the chicken, pork ear, spare ribs, and chorizo. Then add the bacon and sausages. Separately, cook the Portuguese farinheira Sausage and blood sausage.
Use some broth from boiling the meats to cook the previously cut vegetables. Add the mint leaves at this point.
Cook the rice using the broth from the blood sausage and farinheira sausage.
Before serving, cut the meats and sausages into small pieces and place them in a serving dish. Pour the broth flavoured with mint.
Serve the vegetables separately, as well as the rice and beans or chickpeas.

We hope you enjoy these suggestions and have a wonderful autumn!

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Active Weekends and Comfort Food: 3 Ideas for Enjoying Autumn in Portugal

1- Explore Arrábida: Castles, Terroirs, and Cod Stew

2. To the West: A Pumpkin Festival and a Charming Hotel

3. From North to South: Kickstart the Season of Portuguese Stew

Autumn Recipe: The typical Portuguese Stew

Ingredients

Preparation

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Weekend Getaways

Unforgettable Gastronomic Experiences

Elija su experiencia

Active Weekends and Comfort Food: 3 Ideas for Enjoying Autumn in Portugal

1- Explore Arrábida: Castles, Terroirs, and Cod Stew

2. To the West: A Pumpkin Festival and a Charming Hotel

3. From North to South: Kickstart the Season of Portuguese Stew

Autumn Recipe: The typical Portuguese Stew

Ingredients

Preparation

Suggested articles you might be interested in

Plan your wedding from A to Z

Book at the best price

Weekend Getaways

Unforgettable Gastronomic Experiences

Reserve su experiencia de SPA

CONTÁCTENOS

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