Wine, bulls, soup and… dance
Almeirim is, for a Portuguese, almost a synonym of bullfight or wine.
A few years ago, a restaurant (I will write about it) invented a strong soup, and that became the third common reference in Almeirim.
It is a small city that cultivates tradition with the pride of “campinos”, the Portuguese cowboys that raise the wild bulls around town.
Bullfight
It is not the brightest achievement of man, torturing a beast for the pleasure of the public, but many appreciate the courage and knowledge needed to take the risks.
As one of the most important areas raising cattle, Almeirim has frequent bullfights, attracting thousands, from all the country (and tourists, also).
Bullfight is a tradition and culture hesitates between conserving or banning it. Meanwhile, it’s up to you to decide to watch the show, or just the bullring (my personal option, I must admit!).
Wineries
Since time immemorial, this region has been famous for the production of wines, especially white ones.
Quality has increased a lot in Portugal, competition is now wide and fierce, but some producers maintain a prominent place and are frequently visited.
Sopa da pedra
Sopa da pedraI don’t know if in your country there is something similar, but, in Portugal, there is a very old legend about a monk tricking a miser and forcing him to charity.
The legend of this soup was necessarily told to children, more or less like this:
A monk slammed a door, begging for food. Facing the refusal of the resident, he asked authorization to enter, and water, to make a stone soup, showing a big pebble.
Curious about how could he make soup with a rock, the man agreed, and the monk started cooking the stone in water.
After a few minutes he proved, saying that it was good, but with some potatoes would be much better. The man didn’t hesitate and provided the potatoes.
A few more minutes and the scene was repeated with carrots, and one by one, the monk added the requested ingredients he remembered to ask for. At last, he took out the stone (claiming to need it to do another soup) and both ate with taste – the soup was really very good.
Actual
In Almeirim the legend is different – a restaurant decided to create a very strong soup, almost a stew, mainly with the head and feet of pigs, with vegetables and strong flavoring, naming it “Sopa da Pedra”. The success was so big, that that soup is, today, part of most popular festivities all over the country, and restaurants selling it spread all over Almeirim.
I heard that this one is not anymore the best restaurant to eat it, but no doubt, it is the historical nest of the soup, and still a touristy reference in Almeirim. I don’t know the importance of the name in the success of the restaurant, but José Manuel Toucinho is the owner’s name, meaning in Portuguese… lard.
Address: Rua Timor, 2-5
Phone: +351 243 592 237
Website: Toucinho
