No Oporto In Porto.
Gobbling up a traditional meal in a busy local restaurant I noticed a dish being served. Old men were slurping down a soup with black chunks. Smiling a satisfied grin after each slurp. It looked, umm nice.
When I think of Porto (the city in Portugal) I naturally think of Oporto. (the fast food chain) Chicken with amazing flavor and chili on a bun. So Portugal should have Oporto but better. It is their signature dish.
The next day walking past a cafe I saw more soup slurping guzzlers, grinning with each gulp. Through the markets, more soup! More slurping.
I was wrong about the chicken.
In the 15th Century under the command of Henry the Navigator the Portuguese sent a fleet to conquer the North African port, Ceuta. As the fleet were about to set sail the Porto people decided to give away all of the cities good meat to the troops and kept only the tripe for themselves.
Using tripe, beans, sausage and sometimes guts a stew called Tripas a moda de porto, was made and eaten as a staple by the people of Porto while Portugal was at war. A dish anyone would be happy to eat.
The people of Porto were nicknamed Tripiros by the rest of the country for their kindness and Tripas a moda de porto, is now eaten for pleasure and considered the traditional dish of Porto. Not chicken.
Three days in Porto roaming the streets, recruiting more freckles, admiring the tile covered buildings and churches. I did not try Tripas a moda de porto. My up-chuck reflex is too sensitive for tripe and guts.
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