It started out as a book of recipes typical of Algarve villages, but it evolved into a work that also explains the uses and customs of the places where these very Algarve delicacies come from. The second edition of the book «Receitas Típicas das Aldeias do Algarve», an edition of the Regional Coordination and Development Commission of the Algarve (CCDRA), was launched last Friday, at the XNUMXst Mediterranean Diet Fair, which took place over the weekend in Tavira.
The framework could not be the most adequate, bearing in mind that the dishes in this book, originally published eight years ago, are a good example of what the Mediterranean Diet is all about. And not only for the dishes themselves, but for the traditions and products associated with them, which give them timelessness.
«We understood, under the application of the Mediterranean Diet for Intangible Heritage of Humanity, that it was time for a second edition. We updated the book and it is very current, despite having been originally released eight years ago», illustrated CCDRA president David Santos, on the sidelines of the book's launch ceremony.
«It is current because it focuses not only on the Algarve cuisine, but also on customs. The word diet often leads us to gastronomy, but the Mediterranean Diet is much more than that. It has to do with our way of life, with our agriculture and fisheries, with our landscape, with our culture and with our history. With this book, we are taking the oldest knowledge and projecting it into the future», he said.
David Santos argues that one of the great strengths of the Algarve «is our authenticity», which is revealed in regional products and also in recipes.
“The big differences between the two editions are related to text issues, in terms of not focusing only on recipes and giving them more framework. This edition also has a preface by Minister Assunção Cristas, who made a brief note», he revealed.
This is just one of the books that CCDRA has published, relating to the typical gastronomy of the region. All of them reinforce the idea of a return to origins and a healthier and more sustainable cuisine.
"This is a fight, in a good sense, that we have taken on for a long time, which is to make the younger generation see that it is better to eat giblet chicken than a hamburger in any fast food chain," said David Santos.
This cookbook also has a dimension of stimulating the economy and even the environment, as it is based on the idea of using local products. By buying products in the region, you are not only giving money to Algarve producers, you are also “avoiding CO2 emissions”, as it shortens the distribution chain.
The work can be purchased at the CCDRA headquarters, in Largo da Pontinha, in Faro, where other books related to Algarve gastronomy, culture and customs are also available.
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