There is a large Portuguese community where I live. Though most have come from the Azores, the islands of Portugual, they are not fishermen by trade which is good because we are 2 hours from the Pacific ocean. Many have large dairies instead. They are fun, lively and traditional. I love being in an area where other cultures thrive. Life is more interesting. One thing I have learned is that people are basically the same, we love our babies, we want peace, men drink, women complain and a good friend is a treasure. There is an old Randy Travis song that says "As long as old men sit & talk about the weather. As long as old women sit & talk about old men". We are all just people. It has been fun getting to know the local Portuguese people over the years. Around here Silva's makes some of the best Linguica available in the states. Linguica is a Portuguese sausage, spicy and made of pork, remember the cows here are for milk. It is great instead of a hot dog and in what we call 'Portagee Beans'. I wanted to try for a Tapa's type of appetizer, simple, earthy and robust.
GRILLED LINGUICA
1 Silva's linguica about 10" long
1 red bell pepper
10 fresh sage leaves
Roast red bell pepper under broiler or over flame or on BBQ till skin begins to blacken.
Place in paper bag, close and let steam for 10 minutes.
Peel off skin, clean seeds out and cut into 10 pieces, set aside.
Slice linguica on angle into 10 slices.
In a grill pan, cook on medium to medium-low until linguica begins to carmelize.
Place pepper on top, then sage, and secure with a toothpick.
9 comments:
I think there is so much comfort that comes with realizing that we're all the same, and want to same things for ourselves. I loved this post. Thanks!
That was a great post! I love the diversity of foods from different cultures because it does make things a lot more interesting. As for the TWD book, you could try ordering it off Amazon, which I find is usually the cheapest. If you are close to a Border's outlet you should also check that out because when I was in Birch Run, Michigan, I saw it selling for $4!
I think you meant to say...Women Bitch!!! And men get snockerd drunk and get perverted!!!LOL
Yea, I couldn't believe it either. Too bad they didn't have the Cake Bible or anything from Cook's Illustrated. By the way, if it helps I went to the Border's outlet that is part of Prime Outlets.
I love linguica. I grew up near New Bedford, MA (home of Emeril), which was mostly Portuguese. I miss their food more than anything from home!
Beautiful presentation!
Sausages of any kind work for me...but spicy works better! These are perfect appetizer bites!
I love your post- I've just moved to the Azores. Your little sausage appy looks so good- will have to try it!
This is great! My grandfather came from the island of Pico in the Azores. So I guess that makes me 1/4 Portuguese. I spent much of my youth in the Gustine, Merced, San Juaquin Valley area of California on the daries you speak of. We had a large family and many Portuguese friends there. I loved to help my uncle and older cousin on the dairy. They called me "city kid" because my folks settled in the Sacramento area. I remember many early mornings eating linguisa and eggs with "portagee" beans!
The culture you speak of was right on. I always looked forward to the annual Festa's (pronounced feshta) with the sopa or soupish, and all the other diverse foods and activities such as the parade with all the many Queens. This culture never seems to fade, as I have been to a feshta in South Sacramento a few years ago.
Time has taken it's toll and all that side of my family are gone except my mother and a few scattered cousins. But I thank you for re-kindeling some great memories.
I am currently working a project with a local Portugee in the Los Banos area and he turned me on to the Dairymens store that has the best Silva Brand #1 linguisa in the States. Can't find it in other stores or super markets.
Enough out of me!
Zane
Thanks
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