The gastronomy of the Azores is always a relevant topic, as much of the sense of belonging and admiration for the 9 islands is due to their excellent and varied menu.
From meat dishes to fish dishes, from secular sweets to wines and from liqueurs to brandies, the Azores have gastronomic recipes for all moments and tastes. Although the recipes have a common feature among all the islands, they have some unique particularities.
When it comes to meat, the steak à regional and the rump steak take pride of place. The steak à regional is an adaptation of the English-style steak and is closely linked to the island of São Miguel. It is usually served with chips and a fried egg. Alcatra is a recipe inherited from the first settlers from Trás-os-Montes. It is a very typical recipe from Terceira island and is a delicacy. Apart from these dishes, sausages and greaves are some of the most sought after and consumed delicacies.
For lovers of the best the sea has to offer, the Azores are the perfect place to satisfy their tastes. Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores are a privileged region when it comes to seafood and fish dishes. Tuna, limpets with Afonso sauce, stuffed jack mackerel, fish stews and soups, barnacles and clams from Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo are always great choices. What sets these dishes apart is the freshness of the produce, fresh from the sea to the plate.
For the more gluttonous, the Azores has several regional sweets to delight you. The lêvedos cakes from Vale das Furnas, the queijada from Vila Franca do Campo, the queijadas from Graciosa, the cavacas, the species from São Jorge, the ear biscuits from Santa Maria and the Dona Amélia cakes from Terceira island are recipes you must try. In general, massa sovada and rice pudding always have space in your meals and are great choices. As for fruit, and for the healthier ones, the pineapple is the king of fruits in the Azores. Bananas, passion fruit, oranges and Santa Maria melons are also excellent choices.
To accompany your dishes and for those who like to appreciate good drinks, we have excellent wines from the island of Pico, the wines of Biscoitos and Graciosa. The liqueurs and brandies produced in the region are of the highest quality and will never make you forget what’s produced here. The Azores tea is also something you must try, as it is the only tea produced for industrial purposes in Europe.
A special highlight also goes to the Soups of the Holy Spirit. They are also known as ‘Soups of the Empire’ and are closely linked to the cult of the Holy Spirit in the region. They end up being the junction of some basics of the region’s food, such as meat, bread and vegetables.
