For vegetables, you might want to look into a weekly produce box service - we use one called Pede Salsa (pede-salsa.com) that is located south of the Tejo, sells all-Portuguese produce, and delivers in Lisbon and Oeiras. You can either do a standard weekly box or pick what you want from what you have that week. It is a bit more expensive than buying produce in supermarkets but the quality is great.
Thanks for the suggestion! Produce box type services have always sounded enticing in theory but seem to fall apart for us whenever we research the reality and think about the implications of getting a bunch of stuff we don't know how to prepare sent to us every week. I fear it would go to waste. Still, life is different now so it's a good time to revisit assumptions. We'll look into it!
That's what we like about Pede Salsa - you can pick what you want (although you do have to hit a certain minimum spend to do a custom box), so we are able to get only the things we want and not have to worry about what to do with a kilo of leeks!
You HAVE to try the spicy version of Portuguese cuisine - hidden in Goa. Try “Tentacoes de Goa” in rua São Pedro Mártir, just one step away from Martim Moniz. They have vindaloo and sarapatel, among other delicacies. Try also balchão de camarao, a true palate pleaser.
Then there’s Macau! There is a restaurant in Anjos that has the regional cuisine of this former Portuguese outpost and it’s worth the trip - I forgot the name though.
For a spicier Portugal, head to Évora and have “burras” (pig cheek with the bone) bathed in pimentao (the mildly spicy red pepper paste) at the Luar de Janeiro restaurant: worth the trip!
For another twist on flavors; head to Abrantes and the Cascada restaurant and ask for bucho and maranho. You’ll plunge in Middle Ages flavor of the best, with pepper and mint.
You keep this up and we're going to have to enlist you as our guide to Portugal! Thank you! Martim Moniz is super close to us. Anjos is easy as well and there are a quite a few restaurants in that area. If you think of the name of the place you mentioned, please let us know!
Hi Amy, We're not in Portugal yet, but being a cook, I researched where to shop for fresh food to make a beeline once we arrive. I learned Alvalade market in Alvalade Parish is one of, if not the best market in the city. Here is a YouTube tour: https://youtu.be/W1mU6zOlFNg . I think it is not many subway stops from you neighborhood..
Tripe lovers must delight in that beef stew! While we were in the homeland in early spring, each city or town had its farmer's market days. Cheeses, sausage, breads,eggs as well as veg. Lots of veg were imported from Israel. I hope you are able to get to some soon. It must be nearly time for the early crops? The very best of luck ! I'd be really unhappy without good produce!
We definitely have not explored the markets enough. My impression is they are more oriented towards tourists and more expensive than the ones I am used to. They are also further from my location. But it is definitely something I need to get on!
I don't get it. Both my mother and I adored the fish, and I had (mostly) good meals. Seems to me some of the fish was in a savory tomato base. Maybe they do save the best for tourists, or maybe things have changed a lot since we were there (in the '80s or early '90s, can't remember) . Sorry you are having such a disappointing time of it. Sounds to me as if the negatives of living there are outweighing the positives for you. I'm sorry, but envious of Scott's weight loss. All that walking!
Last month I ate a Korean restaurant in Coimbra and had asked the owner where they get their Asian supplies. Also asked a Filipino couple who lives in Setubal the same thing. Both said that Lisbon has Asian groceries. Quick googling shows Woori Mercado Coreano, KoPo Mart and Panindang Pinoy (Filipino Goods). Since you're looking for more variety in ingredients (vegetables, spices, maybe snacks?), they could be of help. Good luck!
But then, I haven’t been to Portugal. And there was that nasty stomach bug in Egypt….and once in Greece the fish wasn’t quite fresh…maybe we just tend to remember the good times! Good luck finding food more to your liking.
For vegetables, you might want to look into a weekly produce box service - we use one called Pede Salsa (pede-salsa.com) that is located south of the Tejo, sells all-Portuguese produce, and delivers in Lisbon and Oeiras. You can either do a standard weekly box or pick what you want from what you have that week. It is a bit more expensive than buying produce in supermarkets but the quality is great.
Thanks for the suggestion! Produce box type services have always sounded enticing in theory but seem to fall apart for us whenever we research the reality and think about the implications of getting a bunch of stuff we don't know how to prepare sent to us every week. I fear it would go to waste. Still, life is different now so it's a good time to revisit assumptions. We'll look into it!
That's what we like about Pede Salsa - you can pick what you want (although you do have to hit a certain minimum spend to do a custom box), so we are able to get only the things we want and not have to worry about what to do with a kilo of leeks!
You HAVE to try the spicy version of Portuguese cuisine - hidden in Goa. Try “Tentacoes de Goa” in rua São Pedro Mártir, just one step away from Martim Moniz. They have vindaloo and sarapatel, among other delicacies. Try also balchão de camarao, a true palate pleaser.
Then there’s Macau! There is a restaurant in Anjos that has the regional cuisine of this former Portuguese outpost and it’s worth the trip - I forgot the name though.
For a spicier Portugal, head to Évora and have “burras” (pig cheek with the bone) bathed in pimentao (the mildly spicy red pepper paste) at the Luar de Janeiro restaurant: worth the trip!
For another twist on flavors; head to Abrantes and the Cascada restaurant and ask for bucho and maranho. You’ll plunge in Middle Ages flavor of the best, with pepper and mint.
You keep this up and we're going to have to enlist you as our guide to Portugal! Thank you! Martim Moniz is super close to us. Anjos is easy as well and there are a quite a few restaurants in that area. If you think of the name of the place you mentioned, please let us know!
Hi Amy, We're not in Portugal yet, but being a cook, I researched where to shop for fresh food to make a beeline once we arrive. I learned Alvalade market in Alvalade Parish is one of, if not the best market in the city. Here is a YouTube tour: https://youtu.be/W1mU6zOlFNg . I think it is not many subway stops from you neighborhood..
Thank you for the suggestion! It certainly looks promising from the video!
Tripe lovers must delight in that beef stew! While we were in the homeland in early spring, each city or town had its farmer's market days. Cheeses, sausage, breads,eggs as well as veg. Lots of veg were imported from Israel. I hope you are able to get to some soon. It must be nearly time for the early crops? The very best of luck ! I'd be really unhappy without good produce!
We definitely have not explored the markets enough. My impression is they are more oriented towards tourists and more expensive than the ones I am used to. They are also further from my location. But it is definitely something I need to get on!
I could not disagree more. While I am 95%vegetarian I love the fresh produce and have found the fish the best anywhere. Rebalo, dourada, etc.
I am so happy you have had such a great experience!
You don’t eat cod like that of course! You need to extract the salt in water a couple of days before eating.
Sim, claro. Obrigado!
I don't get it. Both my mother and I adored the fish, and I had (mostly) good meals. Seems to me some of the fish was in a savory tomato base. Maybe they do save the best for tourists, or maybe things have changed a lot since we were there (in the '80s or early '90s, can't remember) . Sorry you are having such a disappointing time of it. Sounds to me as if the negatives of living there are outweighing the positives for you. I'm sorry, but envious of Scott's weight loss. All that walking!
I am so happy you had such good meals!
Last month I ate a Korean restaurant in Coimbra and had asked the owner where they get their Asian supplies. Also asked a Filipino couple who lives in Setubal the same thing. Both said that Lisbon has Asian groceries. Quick googling shows Woori Mercado Coreano, KoPo Mart and Panindang Pinoy (Filipino Goods). Since you're looking for more variety in ingredients (vegetables, spices, maybe snacks?), they could be of help. Good luck!
That's a great idea!
I am surprised. In my travels to Mediterranean countries, the food has always been a highlight. Maybe tourists get the pick of the crop!
I am so glad you have loved the food!
But then, I haven’t been to Portugal. And there was that nasty stomach bug in Egypt….and once in Greece the fish wasn’t quite fresh…maybe we just tend to remember the good times! Good luck finding food more to your liking.