Alentejo: there is no hurry

Redondo, Alentejo, 25th of April 2022. Photo by Filipe Gill

Alentejo is Portugal’s largest region and a unique part of this country.

‘Beyond Tejo’ until the eyes can see no more. Alentejo is a vast and sparsely populated region south of the Tagus river. This is where the deep south begins.

Yet it has a soul like no other region. The Alentejanos have a special sense of humour and are known for taking it easy. Why rush? Why not stop for a chat or just sit out and see the world go by? For someone like me that suffers from anxiety, getting into the Alentejo groove is a lifetime ambition.

Together with the Algarve, it has a large influence from North Africa: it is “Moorish” Portugal. It is made of 3 sub-regions: Alto Alentejo, capital Évora, Baixo Alentejo, capital Beja and… Alentejo, capital Évora, a very special city. More on Évora in a future article.

Alentejo borders North with Ribatejo and Beira Baixa, South with the Algarve, East with the Spanish provincia of Extremadura, and West with the Atlantic Ocean.

The food from Alentejo is Portugal’s most creative example of cucina povera, poor people’s food from southern Europe.

Bread with cold water;

Bread with hot water;

Bread with pork fat;

Bread with olives.

Bread is the basis of the food in Alentejo. But the good news is that the bread is really good. I mean, really good! So, around bread you make a meal. If it is very hot, like most of the Summer, you can make Gaspacho, the Portuguese take on the Spanish Gazpacho: bread, olive oil, garlic, green peppers, oregano, coriander, salt and cold water. Simple, refreshing, inexpensive and using local ingredients. Voilá!

If it is cold out there, let’s go for ‘Açorda’: a slice of bread, seasoned with garlic, olive oil and coriander. Then pour hot water on top and add a poached egg. Again, make sure the bread and the egg are top quality.

And last but not least, ‘Migas’ quintessential Alentejo. For this, you really need to know what you are doing and I will come back with a dedicated article just for ‘Migas’.

As for Alentejo, this is just the beginning: The Gastronautas will be back many times to share little bites of this magnificent region with you.

Suggested music:

Menina estás à janela, by Vitorino

One of the most beautiful and touching songs you can listen to in Portuguese. Sang by the great Vitorino, it is a traditional folk song and talks about a girl with the ‘cabelo à lua’.