Portugal hugs the Atlantic on the western side of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with the much larger Spain. Until recently, Portugal has been a hidden destination for travelers from Western Europe. But those days are over, especially thanks to the country’s incredible food scene. Keep an eye out for their famous black pig and port wine. The Portuguese black pig, called pata negra or porco preto , is part of the various influences of Iberian cuisine.
Why you should visit Portugal
There are many reasons why you should visit Portugal. Its economy is on the rise, with a growing culture of arts collectives and new local businesses. It is a geographically diverse country with a lot of history, interesting architecture, and exciting cities like Lisbon and Porto that are full of cafes, bars, clubs, boutiques, hotels, and museums.
It has attractive beaches on its Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, which include the beautiful Algarve. Then there are the islands: Madeira and the Azores. And all these attractive attributes are wrapped in an attractive Mediterranean climate. Also, a trip to Portugal will cost much less than most other places in Western Europe.
Alentejo region: a gastronomic favorite
The Alentejo region is located south of the Tagus River in south-central Portugal, a relatively short drive from Lisbon. It is known for its excellent wines, cork production, Roman ruins, cheeses, castles, and a dark-skinned pig fattened with acorns. The meat of this breed of porto preto pig is called black pig. During the fattening phase, these pigs, which have never been crossed, roam freely in the field, eating acorns from holm oaks and seeds from native cork oaks in the area. Acorns are the secret that makes these pigs so special, giving the meat a nutty flavor and a fat content that is slightly healthier than other pigs.
Pigs do not convert the fat they eat, and the fat in acorns is similar to olive oil in that it is monounsaturated. The muscle and fat you gain during this phase are key to unparalleled succulence and flavor. There is simply nothing like this pork anywhere else.
Black pig, also known as Raca Alentejana , is a specialty found only in the Alentejo region. Many of the restaurants use the Spanish term pata negra , although the correct term is porco preto , the name of the breed of pig.
Travel tips
A trip to Portugal simply wouldn’t be complete without driving to the Alentejo region to see some of its Roman ruins and castles. Head to the fortified city of Estremoz, whose history is intertwined with that of Portugal. This city has been around for thousands of years and has been home to Romans, Visigoths, and Muslims. It is known for its exquisite marble, which is a major Portuguese export. After a day of sightseeing, head to a great dinner at the Adega do Isaías restaurant in Estremoz, where black pork dishes are on the menu, along with a variety of Portuguese wines to try.
