Okay, so I can hear many of you saying "Don't knock'it until you've tried it" but... yikes.
Now, if you were like me and turned out you LOVE them, say so here, please.
Because I LOVE SEAFOOD, I want to eat lots and lots of it in Portugal, so if you would be so kind, please share a few of your favorite dishes, and where you tried them.
Obrigada!
I had barnacles in Portugal and found them delicious. Ate them at little restaurants (not fancy) in several towns on the coast. It’s been a few years, so don’t remember exactly which towns.
I also loved the cod - we had cod just about every day. And it was prepared so many different ways that it was always different.
Seafood, boiled potatoes served with fresh greens is delicious no matter where you go in PT. Did you know that fish and chips originated there?
We’re headed to Portugal in October and will definately try the barnacles. We also try the local specialties such as
Haggis in Edinburgh - not bad, not good, just soso
Smoked eel in Amsterdam - really good, had it 2x but as an appetizer
Herring in Norway - hard pass, way too fishy
Panelle in Palarmo - good but for lunch, it’s on bread
Arancini in Sicily - delicious, could eat one everyday
Perogi in Poland - we like the sweet ones better than savory, a little dougy though
Croissant in Paris - fabulous, ruined me for ones in Brooklyn
Blitva in Croatia - can eat it every day, great way to get your veggies in
Jamon in Spain - so delicious, melts in your mouth. Ruined me for Italian prosciutto
Sorry to go on and on, just remembering some of these foods is making me want to return for more.
Hope you give them a try!
What do barnacles taste like? Are they chewy like clams?
We love all kinds of seafood and Lisbon/Cascais had the best we ever had. My wife is a bit finicky but relished the barnacles and octopus.
If I knew where you were staying, I could suggest where we thought was the best
Dennis and Elinore
Goose barnacles are a delight IMO, but eating them is messy and can be seen as unappetizing. The price is a deterrent as well.
Omg I did not know that barnacles were a seafood delicacy
Now that I know, I will be sure not to eat any
Some dishes are an acquired taste and others require some knowledge on how to eat them ( barnacles, sardines, crabs, etc).
Some dishes are available throughout the entire coast line while others are local specialities, some of my favorites:
- Corvina or Garoupa, they're in the Grouper family
- Peixe Espada Grelhado, grilled Scabard fish
- Sardinha Assada, grilled Sardines
- Robalo Grelhado, grilled Sea Bass
- Dourada Grelhada, grilled Sea Bream
- Chocos com Tinta, grilled Cuttlefish with Ink
Regional specialities:
- Caldeirada de Peixe, fish stew in Peniche
- Espetada de Tamboril, Monkfish Kabob in Peniche
- Bife de Espadarte, Swordfish or Marlin Steak in Sesimbra
- Choco Frito, fried Cuttlefish strips in Setúbal
- Cataplana de Marisco, Seafood Cataplana in Algarve
- Conquilhas, Conquilha clams in Algarve
Enjoy
My husband and would happily eat barnacles if anyone had recommendations in Lisbon, Porto, or along the Algarve (based in Fuseta, near Olhao).
My husband and would happily eat barnacles if anyone had recommendations in Lisbon, Porto, or along the Algarve (based in Fuseta, near Olhao).
Fuseta is a bit far east in the Algarve to be in prime percebes territory (they are harvested on rocky coasts), so I would aim for Lisbon or Porto. No specific restaurant recommendations.
