The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Madeiran Foods. If you manage to be in an Madeiran restaurant or you are visiting Madeira, I recommend the following
1. Octopus (Polvo)
Octopus is a very traditional and common dish all over Portugal. Octopus comes in many different forms, one of the most common is probably rice flour, a very delicate and very cheap food. If you are fond of squid, don’t hesitate to eat it if you travel to Madeira.
2. Madeira Soup
Madeira soup consists of tomatoes and onions. Served with eggs and bread, it is a typical hot dish of the island that attracts many tourists to Madeira. This typical Madeiran dish offers a different experience, an ingredient that is rarely used in soups. Available and available in several restaurants in the area.
3. Limpets (Lapas)
This recipe is as simple as adding butter and parsley while grilling and adding lemon at the end. It is an ideal appetizer for the main course and is much appreciated by locals and tourists alike. Also known as limpets grelhada, they can be used as a garnish in certain stews (e.g. swordfish with limpets).
4. Espetada
Espetada de Pau de Lauro is probably Madeira’s most famous traditional dish and is very affordable for all budgets. It is diced beef seasoned with garlic and bay leaves and served on skewers after being grilled. Perhaps the most notable feature is that, instead of wooden skewers, the bay leaf stalk is used to impale the meat.
5. Cabbage Soup
Cabbage soup is made with vegetables grown in this archipelago and is one of the typical dishes of the northern towns of Madeira. Its main ingredient is Portuguese cabbage and requires a wok for cooking. Other ingredients often combined with cabbage are potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and other cabbages. Some also add a little meat, although in many places they prefer a completely vegetarian diet.
6. Bolo de Mel
One of Madeira’s sweetest desserts. Bolo de Mel or gingerbread, a traditional recipe made with a combination of molasses or cane honey, flour, butter, sugar, spices, vanilla and nuts. They are sold in several places in the area, such as the Fabrica de Santo António, supermarkets and grocery stores and some bakeries.
7. Bolo do Caco
It is a potato bread dipped in garlic butter with a distinctly Galician flavor that is perfect as a side dish or main course. It is usually a round flatbread and historically baked on basalt stone slabs, although nowadays there are many different ways of making it.
8. Wheat Soup
Wheat soup is typical of Madeiran cuisine and has a thick texture. It is made from wheat, dried beans, potatoes, pumpkin and corn and is seasoned to cook to taste. This dish is very common in restaurants where pilgrims pass through on hiking routes.
9. Madeirense Corn
This is another perfect starter, especially if you want a light snack before a meal. The fried corn comes in small cubes and is made with corn flour, salt, garlic, parsley and chopped cabbage to give it a very nice taste.
10. Potatoes With Beans and Ears
Also known as “cozido a portuguesa”, it is a traditional stew of meat, sausages and vegetables in Portuguese cuisine. The most common pork cuts are smoked ribs (entrecosto de porco) and corn cobs, while common sausages include farinheira, sausage and black pudding. The most commonly used vegetables are potatoes, beans, radishes, carrots, cabbage and rice. The broth from cooking the meat is used to make the stew.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional African Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.