The Sweet Potato Festival is already a gastronomic event of reference and, therefore, expectations for the event, which takes place from November 24th to 26th, at the Espaço Multiusos in Aljezur, are the best. The production went well and the sweet potato, besides being «the real one», of the variety lyra, «it's good».
Manuel Marreiros, president of the Sweet Potato Producers Association of Aljezur, sets a goal: to sell «25 tons» during the event. "The economy is better and the staff has already received their wages", he jokes, in conversation with the Sul Informação.
In the event, there will be 18 producers. All belong to that association, but only two have agriculture as their main activity. “All the rest have other occupations. The productions are smaller, but that has advantages: the quality is better», he says.
António Inês, who has a production of half a hectare near Rogil, is one of them. «I have 1500 kilos destined for the Festival, but, in total, I collected around 6 tons of sweet potatoes lyra. And here there are no chemicals at all», he guarantees, as he walks through his land. The harvest took place in October and now all that remains, in that half a hectare, is just some junk.
«For over 30 years» António Inês has been producing sweet potatoes. “I've only dedicated myself to this, but it's complicated. There are many costs. Today it's just a hobby».
Even so, the farmer guarantees that, «at this moment, the consumption of sweet potatoes has increased fivefold. It is a very well-known product and they say it is good for your health. In the Porto area, no one knew about sweet potatoes and now they already consume it! Foreigners are also already eating sweet potatoes».
The existence of the Sweet Potato Festival was one of the factors that helped to promote this product, but there is also the reverse of the medal.
“I always said that the Festival was good for promoting potatoes. But by promoting our sweet potato variety lyra, we are also promoting all other varieties and there is fraudulent conduct. It is common to find, in the Markets, stalls selling what they say are sweet potatoes from Aljezur, but they are not the real ones», says Manuel Marreiros.
That won't happen this weekend. Anyone who goes to the Algarve during the Festival is guaranteed to eat the “true sweet potato” variety lyra, as the nickname José Amarelinho, mayor of Aljezur. And after the festival, how is it?
«We want the sweet potato to be more commercialized outside the festival», confesses Manuel Marreiros. That's why the association's new initiative emerged, which will start after the event.
«We will have exhibitors, where we will put packaged and certified potatoes for sale, making protocols and agreements with traders. Thus, official sweetpotato sales points will be created, initially only in Aljezur and Lagos».
While this new project does not start, it is certain that Aljezur will fill with visitors this weekend. José Amarelinho, president of the Chamber, predicts that the number of people going to the Festival will be between «20 to 25 thousand».
One of the novelties that the event will present this year is the launch of the first sweet potato craft beer, produced by the algarvian brand “Marafada” and “Alen'tejo”. “It is a great asset. It will be important to see how people react. I myself am very curious to taste the beer», José Amarelinho told Sul Informação.
Basically, the launch of this new product, made by one of the ex libris de Aljezur, confirms António Inês' opinion: «sweet potatoes have a lot of future».
At this weekend's Festival, the gastronomic offer will include four restaurants, three taverns, but also a reinforced offer of street food and a snack area in the outdoor tent that will approach Aljezur's sweet potato in a more “uncommitted and light” way, guarantees the City Council.
The temptation of sweet keeps a strong presence. Therefore, there will be a lot of sweets, always using Aljezur's sweet potato as a base: whether it's chocolate, jam or even a brandy, ice cream and liqueur.
The Sweet Potato Festival opens on the 24th of November, at 18 pm, with the presence of the Algarvian Miguel Freitas, Secretary of State for Forests and Rural Development.
This event can be visited on Friday and Saturday, from 12:00 to 24:00, and on Sunday from 12:00 to 22:00. Entrance and parking are free. To consult the complete program click here
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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