Town hosts 22nd ‘Arraial do Petisco’
The small town of Pêra is preparing for the 22nd edition of ‘Arraial do Petisco’, a gastronomic event spotlighting Algarve food to be held at the ‘Polidesportivo’ sports complex between July 29-31 and August 5-7.
The event allows visitors to try classic Algarve dishes from ‘papas de milho’ (a Portuguese version of Italian polenta) to ‘carapaus alimados’ (a typically-Algarvian dish made by dry-salting horse mackerel, before boiling them in water).
Other staple dishes which can be enjoyed on all nights include snails, ‘pipis’ (giblets) and shrimp ‘xerém’ (a corn porridge usually accompanied by some form of seafood).
There will also be the “dishes of the night”, which can only be enjoyed on a particular day. ‘Ensopado de borrego’ (a Portuguese lamb stew made with bread) will be the Friday night special, followed by ‘feijoada de choco’ (cuttlefish bean stew) on Saturdays and ‘cabidela de galinha’ (a chicken and rice dish cooked with the chicken’s blood – beloved in the Algarve, but not the best option for the squeamish) on Sundays.
Those with a sweet tooth will also have something to look forward to, as traditional desserts and sweets such as the Algarve’s famous Dom Rodrigo (made with cinnamon and egg) and a variety of almond-based cakes and sweets.
The event also has a charitable side, aiming to raise money every year for Centro Paroquial de Pêra – a local private institution of social solidarity (IPSS) which helps those in need in the town.
Tickets cost €1.50, with free admission for children aged 12 and under. There will also be live music every night.
The event takes place between 8pm and 2am.
