MAIN INGREDIENTS
Espetada is a traditional dish and a specialty of the island of Madeira. It consists of big pieces of beef that are marinated in salt and garlic, then skewered on a bay leaf stick. The stick is placed over hot coals until the meat is properly cooked.
It is the most popular dish to serve at picnics or parties in Madeira. Espetada is often served with the skewer hung vertically from a hook, so that the flavorful juices can drip down onto a plate filled with thick-sliced, crusty bread. Pork, sausages, and squid can all act as a substitute for beef in espetada, but then it is not a typical Madeira dish anymore.
MOST ICONIC Espetada
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Hailing from Madeira, this rustic, leavened bread is prepared with wheat flour, mashed sweet potatoes, water, and salt. Traditionally baked on large basalt stone slabs, bolo do caco is typically flat and round, though it can vary in size. It is the most common bread variety on Madeira that is usually served as a warm appetizer with garlic butter spread, but it can also be enjoyed as a sandwich or an accompaniment to various traditional Portuguese dishes.
Milho frito is a traditional specialty made with cooked cornmeal that is cut into small squares and fried in oil. It originated as a frugal dish in the Portuguese region of Madeira, and was initially prepared plain. Today it is usually enriched with thinly sliced cabbage, garlic, and a variety of fresh herbs.
Milho frito can be enjoyed as a nutritious snack but is traditionally served as a complement to other meat or seafood dishes.
Broas de mel is a traditional cookie hailing from Madeira. These crispy cookies are made with flour, sugar, eggs, dark molasses, lard, lemon zest, and spices such as nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. The cookies are baked until puffy and golden brown.
The word broa refers to a type of bread and the shape of these cookies, which resemble small loaves. Broas de mel are especially popular during the festive Christmas season and it's recommended to pair them with tea, fruit liqueurs or even a glass of Madeira wine.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Espada com banana is a traditional fish dish originating from Madeira. The dish is usually made with a combination of espada (black scabbardfish), bananas, olive oil, flour, eggs, garlic, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and oregano. The fish is filleted and seasoned with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic.
The fillets are dredged in flour, dipped in beaten eggs, rolled in breadcrumbs, and fried in olive oil until golden brown. The bananas are peeled, cut lengthwise into two halves, dredged in flour, dipped in egg wash, rolled in breadcrumbs, and fried in olive oil.
Considered to be Madeira's oldest dessert, bolo de mel is a cake made with honey, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon, and other spices. This richly spiced cake is thought to have been invented in the 15th century, during the expansion of sugar plantations on the island, and it was originally made with molasses, which meant it could be stored for up to 5 years.
Bolo de mel was traditionally prepared for Christmas, but nowadays it can be found all year round because it is very popular with the locals. In Madeira, it is customary not to cut the cake, but rather to tear off the pieces by hand.
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