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There are many fantastic reasons to visit the island of Madeira: the year round sunshine, the renowned white knuckle toboggan rides, the incredible landscape and the fabled high tea at Reid’s. Talking of tea, is anybody hungry?
One of Madeira’s crown jewels is its cuisine. Rich with Mediterranean influences and fresh ingredients, the flavours of their regional dishes are simply sumptuous. Here at Economy Car Hire we consider ourselves to be fairly knowledgeable when it comes to good grub so we’ve rustled up a menu of Madeira’s most mouth-watering morsels.
Although there are a variety of traditional dishes to try, most meals usually begin with Bolo del Caco.
This is a flatbread made with wheat flour. Cooked pancake style on a hot plate, the dough is left to turn a nice golden brown on both sides before being rolled or folded into oblong shape more closely resembling a baguette. These loaves are usually served fresh and still slightly warm with generous helpings of garlic butter.
Seafood
Thanks to its location just off the North African coast and a stone’s throw from the Canary Islands, Madeira is in a prime spot to enjoy some of the best seafood in Europe. The daily catch is distributed throughout the island ensuring that wherever you eat in Madeira you know it will be fresh!
Fish and seafood are traditionally done in a simple way in many places, particularly near the port. Trying scabbard fish, a local deep-sea white fish caught off the coast, is a must. Lapas or limpets cooked with salt and garlic are an island speciality, tasting exactly of the sea, and there isn’t a better place for a fresh tuna steak.
Caldeirada is a typical Portuguese stew, very much appreciated in the Archipelago of Madeira. This delicious specialty consists of a large variety of fish and shellfish, with tomato, potatoes and onion.
Meat
When it comes to meat you’ll soon see African influences creeping in. Espetada is the Madeiran equivalent of a BBQ kebab only more delicious. Smothered in a marinade of crushed bay leaves, garlic, salt, olive oil, and spices and left over night, the meat is chopped into cubes placed on wooden skewers and barbecued over open flames for an extra smoky flavour.
If Espetada doesn’t take your fancy why not try Carne de vinhos e alhos. This tasty dish consists of small pieces of pork that are left to marinade in a sauce of white wine, vinegar, garlic and bay leaves.
The meat is semi-poached in the sauce before being taken out and finished off in a hot pan, giving it a nice crispy golden skin. The remaining marinade is then sweetened with sugar and left to boil on a low heat until it reduces into a thick gravy. The meat and sauce are either served with potatoes or toasted bread.
Picado is also an excellent choice too. It consists of small pieces of beef fried with garlic (yes more garlic!) in a pan. It is usually served with French fries.
Sweets
After spending just a few days on the island you’ll soon discover that Madeiran’s have a sweet tooth and they aren’t in a hurry to deny their sugar cravings. Everywhere on the island you’ll find a wide variety of cakes and desserts.
Whilst we’d happily tuck into any of these sweet treats the one you can’t leave Madeira without trying is Bolo de Mel. Literally translated as Honey Cake this is one of Madeira’s oldest recipes and dates back to when the island was an important producer of sugar. The cake is traditionally eaten at Christmas but you’ll be able to find it on menus and in cafes throughout the year.
Regional Beverages and Madeira Wine
Apart from the obvious, Madeira wine, a range of drinks have their own significance and special place on Madeira’s menus. Locals produce their own wines and liqueurs by using the produce that grows best in their region.
Poncha – A tasty, yet potent beverage made with sugar cane rum, lemon juice and bee honey (other versions of poncho are made with orange, tangerine or passion fruit juices).
Ginja – Also known as Ginjinha, is a liqueur made by infusing cherries.
Nikita – A delicious and refreshing pineapple and vanilla flavoured beverage that can either be served with or without alcohol.
We recommend!
Visit a winery…
Many of us associate the sweet fortified wine with an elderly relative’s choice of Christmas tipple, but a Madeira tasting is well worth doing. In the former St Francis monastery now known as the St Francis Cellars, the Blandy family have been producing Madeira for 150 years. Discover the surprising citrusy sweet depth and texture of Madeira wine and learn its fascinating history, which dates back to the 15th Century.
Still feeling peckish? Why not read up on our delicious driving destinations, or check out our other suggestions and recommendations for foodie travel.
Have you been to Madeira and tried a tasty dish that we’ve forgotten to mention? Don’t hesitate to leave us a comment below and let us know we love to hear about your experiences!
