Hi everyone, this is Maria from Portugal.
 

In the above picture, several Portuguese snacks are represented. Wheat and rye bread, olives, lupins, spicy sheep’s cheese, sliced chouriços, a type of enchido (a sausage made from pork), and another enchido (the alheira, that usually contains poultry meats such as chicken) and a sardine pâté.

 

Bread is a staple food, often eaten with main meals in Portugal. There are various types of typical bread, and apart from the commonly used wheat flour, rye and corn flour are also common ingredients for Portuguese bread.

 

Olives are also a popular snack, eaten at the beginning of meals, either at home or in restaurants. The olives are always salted, although they can also contain spices and/or herbs.
 

Lupins are the seeds of plant called Genus Lupinus, namely the European white lupin (Lupinus albus). These yellow seeds are usually sold in a bag with salted water to be consumed as snacks. Eating them with a beer is popular, while eating it by itself is another option. Interestingly, these seeds contain neurotoxic amino acids, as well as other substances toxic for your liver and brain. As such, you must boil them in water and then cover several times with new water, repeating this “washing” process frequently for several days before eating them. Thus prepared, lupins do not pose any health risk. They are very low in calories, gluten-free and high in dietary fiber, amino acids, and antioxidants.  

 

Enchidos is a type of sausage, prepared by filling animal intestines or a synthetic casting with many types of filling, from different types of meat to rice. The enchidos are cured and sometimes smoked so they last for a very long time and can be eaten all year round. Typical enchidos include chouriço, alheira, morcela or farinheira. Pork is the most common ingredient for the enchidos.

 

The alheira is a type of enchido prepared with poultry meats such as chicken and turkey, as well as bread, olive oil, garlic, lard and paprika. The most popular type of alheira in Portugal comes from the city of Mirandela. Although it is popular all over the country, there are different preparation methods for the alheira. It can be roasted over a low heat, grilled or fried. It is usually eaten either with a fried egg and a lettuce and tomato salad or with boiled potatoes, a drizzle of olive oil and seasonal vegetables.

 

The sardine pâtés are another popular snack in Portugal. They can be spread on many types of bread and eaten as such. They are an example of Portugal’s variety of sea-derived products. There are many fish pâtés prepared in Portugal. Another popular Portuguese sea-derived product is canned tuna. Since it is already seasoned, it can be used to prepare a quick meal with a boiled egg and boiled vegetables, usually potatoes and carrots or even chickpeas. There are many different types of canned tuna fish in Portugal, either simply salted in olive oil or seasoned with various spices, vegetables or tomato sauces.

 

Cheese is also a must for Portuguese cuisine. There are hundreds of different typical Portuguese cheeses, characteristic to every part of the country. The pictured example is a sheep’s milk spicy variety, hence the red color on the outer surface of the cheese.

These are a few popular Portuguese favorite snacks. Is there a particular kind of snack that caught your eye? They are all delicious ^-^
Make sure to try them if you ever come to Portugal!