This smoked sausage is similar to chorizo, but longer. It is made with the meat and fat from the Alentejo breed of pigs, along with flavorings and seasonings such as paprika, pepper, salt, garlic, and wine. The mixture is marinated briefly before being stuffed into sausage casings which are subsequently smoked and dried.
The texture is smooth and marbled, while the flavor is slightly salty with a typical smoky aroma. This sausage is often sliced and pan-fried for a typical breakfast dish. Extra thin slices also make for a great pizza topping or a filling for francesinha, a traditional Portuguese sandwich.