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Portuguese cuisine is rich and varied, built on a foundation of fresh, flavorful ingredients. Meats such as pork, beef, poultry, and game play a central role, while seafood—fish, lobster, crab, shrimp, prawns, octopus, scallops, clams, and barnacles—is a national treasure. Vegetables, legumes, and an array of indulgent desserts, particularly cakes, complete the table. Bread is almost always present, with many traditional varieties like the dense, rustic broa.
Centuries of exploration and a far-reaching empire left their mark on Portuguese cooking, while Portugal’s culinary traditions also influenced kitchens across the world. In Brazil, Portuguese roots can be seen in dishes like feijoada and caldeirada (a hearty fish stew). In Macau, Macanese cuisine blends local and Portuguese flavors, while in former territories of Portuguese India—such as Goa and Kerala—dishes like vindalho marry vinegar, chilli, and garlic into boldly spiced curries. This exchange of flavors has made Portuguese cuisine both deeply local and unmistakably global.