Portugal Please: Eggs-cellent Time in Portalegre

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Next on my Portugal Please road trip itinerary was the southern and sunny region of Alentejo where the appetising promise to “road test” the new Festival of Food offering from British tour operator, Sunvil, lay ahead. First stop in this gorgeous land of cork farms and vineyards … of ancient Moorish ramparts and prim churches hiding grandiose interiors … was the hilltop border town of Portalgre where I arrived just in time to attend the annual and eggy Feira de Doçaria Conventual for a taste of traditional sweets from the region and more.

The feira is held every year a couple of weeks before Easter at Portalgre’s Convento de São Bernardo where home folks and professionals from across Portugal (though mostly locals) share their conventual sweets and other Portuguese confectionary items alongside a quality assortment of regional food and drink products.

Conventual sweets are a big deal in Portugal. Essentially, they’re egg and sugar based treats originally made by nuns to pay for the running costs of their convents and to raise funds for missions. Pasteis de Nata from Belem parish of Lisbon are probably the best known of these sweets but far from the only ones. In addition to all the custardy creations, the main foods highlighted at the fair were olives, chestnuts, Black Iberico pork, almonds, and wine (the Alentejo is the biggest producer of wine in the country).

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Not only about eating, there was live music, fancy dress and plenty of community spirit to enjoy at this delectable – and adorably hokey – event.

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STAY

I stayed a short drive from town just outside the teensy village of Crato at the grand Pousada Flor da Rosa – a former palace, convent and castle that was once home to the Hospitallers of the Order of Malta during the Crusades. My suite was super comfy and – with metres thick stone exterior walls (not to mention the hotel’s rural location) it was super quiet too. Dinner at the hotel restaurant was lovely and service was phenomenal. My cuttlefish and bean stew was delish.

As wonderful as fair was and as impressive as my accommodations were, the best part of my visit to the area was the bucolic country lane drive from Portalegre to Crato, especially at sunset.

Be sure to check back soon for future instalments of my Portugal Please miniseries.

About tikichris

Chris Osburn is the founder, administrator and editor of tikichris. In addition to blogging, he works as a freelance journalist, photographer, consultant and curator.
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