The capture period began with the arrival of January and the first reports, from the Minho fishermen’s associations, point to the beginning of the harvest, which lasts until March 30, with few examples of lamprey, but in good condition. quality. The news spread quickly and a few days later several restaurants announced the beginning of another lamprey season. Hated by many but a reason for pilgrimage to many others, this cyclostome is part of the national gastronomic calendar, which is not limited to harvesting in Minho, with other regions such as Mondego celebrating the quality of the product and recipes.

A unique cyclostome, with an elongated, slender appearance and mouth similar to a suction cup, the lamprey is born in the river, evolves in the sea and returns to fresh water to spawn. The taste leaves no one indifferent, from January to several April. Classically served with rice or Bordeaux, the lamprey can be prepared in the oven and even grilled. From north to south, several restaurants are famous for the way they bring the “divine cyclostome” to the table and onto the plate.

In Lisbon and with deep and familiar connections to Minho, the Solar dos Presuntos is always one of the first results in the capital and advertises lamprey on the menu. Depending on the offer, the dishes prepared are expanded and special lunches and dinners are even prepared for comment groups that do not miss a time in the cycle. As a reference, “Lamprey rice” costs €36. Still in the capital, another temple of good gastronomy and good service to lamprey is the Aunt Matilde Winery. With a “democratic” service, you can order “a piece” of “Lampreia à Minhota” or “Lampreia à Bordeaux” for €13. Each dose costs €52. By order and served whole, the restaurant also prepares “Lampreia roasted in the oven”, for €98, which serves several guests guaranteed.

In Minho, the main results of the municipalities of Caminha, Melgaço, Monção, Paredes de Coura, Valença and Vila Nova da Cerveira focus on the dissemination of this gastronomic heritage. Like, Restaurant 7 à 7, in Monção, the reference suggests on the menu “Lampreia com arroz” and “Arroz à Bordeaux”, with prices between €45 (half) and €90 (whole).

In Porto, the well-known restaurant Líder doesn’t miss a beat and has many loyal customers who were just waiting for Manuel Moura’s signal to sit down at the table. and taste a portion (€47.50) of “Lampreia à Bordeaux”. In Matosinhos, the same happens with the drawerMore restaurants in the art of serving (and keeping alive in the aquarium) of lamprey dishes To taste alone, but with a side dish, you can definitely order “Lampreia à Bordeaux”, with a dose of 40€. The “Lamprey Rice” is served only to order and you can choose between whole (ideal for 4 people) or half, with prices between €70 and €110. Region also known for the quality of the river fish, the municipality of Gondomar once again organizes a festival dedicated to lamprey and shad, between the 25th of February and the 3rd of March. no restaurant Beautiful houseOn these days, “Lampreia à Bordeaux” and “Lampreia in rice” are already served, with cream servings €32.50, and you can order one (€120) or half lamprey (€65).

In the Center region, also famous for the art of treating the so-called “ugly animal”, the Coimbra Region – European Region of Gastronomy initiative, elected the lamprey as one of the featured products in the vast gastronomic heritage. The ambassador of this initiative was the chef João d’Eca Lima, which leads the Shale Restaurant, in the idyllic Louçainha, in the municipality of Penela. To mark the opening of the 222nd season, which has presented the space offered in the cycling season, there is a special menu by Eça Lima and Filipa Sotto-Mayor, prepared and by Filipa Sotto-Mayor, prepared and by Filipa Sotto-Mayor, at Neighborhood snack bar, in Foz. With a reservation required, the lunch menu on January 29 (Saturday) will include lamprey and Mondego rice, but also eels and “Pudim do Abade”, by Miguel Oliveira.. It should be noted that the Figueira da Foz promotes, between the 18th and 27th of February, a Lamprey and Shad Festival.

Next to the Aguieira reservoir, another mandatory stop for lovers of this seasonal product is, precisely, the A Lamprey restaurant, in Chamadouro, which serves the traditional “Lampreia à Foz do Dão”, a lamprey cabidela, from €50 (half). After having the season opened, the restaurant reopens on January 26.

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