The Sweet Potato Festival started this Friday, November 30th, in Aljezur, and expectations are to sell «20 to 21» tons of the delicacy in an event that is «a great moment for the municipality».
Manuel Marreiros, president of the Sweet Potato Producers Association of Aljezur, confessed, in statements to Sul Informação, that «the rains in April complicated production a little, despite being more or less in line with previous years».
At the Festival, which lasts until Sunday, December 2nd, and which will officially open today, at 18 pm, with the presence of Miguel Freitas, Secretary of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, 00 producers from this association are present.
One of them is Luís Augusto who the Sul Informação found, last Wednesday, November 28, at the headquarters of the Producers Association to finalize the preparations for the event.
«This year I have 1,3 tons of potatoes destined for the Festival. I feel an increasing demand for our product. There are those who say that it is good for health», he said, smiling.
Despite being «just a hobby», Luís Augusto has a production of 4 tonnes in total, selling a lot to individuals. Still, he added, "the Festival is good because it helps to sell the potatoes, which, before, was more difficult."
Another of the initiatives that have helped to promote Aljezur's sweet potato, the “true variety lyra», are some stalls that have been placed in commercial establishments in the municipality of Aljezur.
«It is an exhibitor of the Association, beautiful and certified. Since we put up these stands, sales have increased because people know they can buy the real sweet potato there,” Manuel Marreiros told our newspaper.
And, to taste the delicacy, there are plenty of spaces at the Sweet Potato Festival. The variety of gastronomic offer at the event includes four restaurants, three taverns, but also an extensive range of street food and a snack area in the outdoor tent. In total, around 100 exhibitors are present.
The temptation of sweets maintains a strong presence and it is possible to find chocolates, ice creams, jams and even sweet potato beers.
For José Gonçalves, mayor of Aljezur, the Sweet Potato Festival is «a very important moment for the municipality».
"This year we have some new things, such as the presentation of two canned products: one of Aljezur alcagoita with mackerel and the other of sweet potato with tuna", he revealed to Sul Informação.
As for the confectionery contest, this edition of the Sweet Potato Festival will also have an attraction: the winner will be chosen by Aljezur to be a candidate for a new contest of the 7 Wonders which will have confectionery as its theme.
Basically, this will be a different weekend for Aljezur, which hosts one of the main gastronomic events in the Algarve. “We will have a lot of people visiting us, which is always good. The commercial establishments will also be open and they always do more business than usual», concluded José Gonçalves to our newspaper.
The Sweet Potato Festival is open until midnight this Friday and opens tomorrow, Saturday, at 24 pm, closing at midnight. On Sunday, the event is open from 00:12 to 00:24.
Entrance and parking are free.
Photos: Pablo Sabater | Sul Informação
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