Terceira Massa Sovada

Also known as: Azorean Sweet Bread

Azorean sweet bread, rich in eggs and butter and thoroughly kneaded by hand.

Origin: Terceira Island · Azores
Region: Terceira Island
Season: Year-round; especially Holy Spirit festivals

Sweetness

Richness

Difficulty

Terceira Massa Sovada is a sweet bread enriched with eggs, butter, milk, sugar, cinnamon and lemon zest. The recipe recorded by DGADR begins the day before with a starter made from sweet potato, egg, sugar, yeast and flour.

The dough is kneaded at length, allowed to rise in stages, shaped into round loaves and brushed with egg before baking. The result has a glossy brown crust and a soft, fine, gently sweet crumb.

Ingredients

wheat flour
sweet potato
eggs
sugar
butter
milk
baker's yeast
cinnamon
lemon zest
salt

Taste & texture

Soft, buttery and moderately sweet, with lemon and cinnamon notes and a toasted crust.

Variations

Family recipes adjust sugar, spices and size; loaves may be served whole and round or cut into slices.

Where to try it

At bakeries, markets and Holy Spirit festivals on Terceira Island.

Pairs well with

Tea, butter, Azorean cheese or Terceira-style alcatra.

History

DGADR suggests it began as a sweet bread or milk bread. On Terceira it became both an everyday and ceremonial food: it accompanies tea and alcatra and holds an honoured place at Holy Spirit festival tables.

Sources: tradicional.dgadr.gov.pt · artesanato.azores.gov.pt

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