Aljezur Sweet-Potato Turnovers
Also known as: Aljezur Sweet-Potato Turnovers
Fried half-moons filled with Aljezur sweet potato, cinnamon and citrus.
- Origin
- Aljezur · Vicentine Coast
- Region
- Aljezur · Vicentine Coast
- Season
- Autumn · winter · Christmas
Pastéis de Batata-Doce de Aljezur are thin-dough turnovers folded into half-moons, fried until lightly blistered and coated with sugar. Their filling combines cooked, mashed local sweet potato with sugar, cinnamon and lemon or orange zest.
The light, brittle shell encloses a compact, moist amber centre.
- Aljezur sweet potato
- wheat flour
- sugar
- lard
- cinnamon
- lemon or orange zest
- oil for frying
Earthy and mellow within, with cinnamon and citrus against light fried pastry.
Also called empanadilhas or trutas; some versions add honey or orange juice to the filling.
In Aljezur, Odeceixe and sweet-potato fairs along the Vicentine Coast.
Coffee, medronho spirit or lemon tea.
Sweet potato is an emblematic Aljezur crop protected by a Geographical Indication. In western Algarve confectionery it appears in pastries, cakes, puddings and fritters, especially on winter and Christmas tables.
Sources: freguesiadeodeceixe.pt · files.diariodarepublica.pt · cgalgarve.com · docariadosul.pt
Pastries from here — The Algarve
Portuguese icon Aljezur Sweet-Potato Pillows
A long pillow of crisp pastry leaves wrapped around Aljezur sweet potato.
The Algarve
Portuguese icon Almond Spiky Biscuits
Bristling peaks of almond, slow-baked until they sing of bittersweet.
The Algarve
Portuguese icon Silves Almond Sweets
Colourful hand-modelled almond miniatures filled with sweet egg cream.
The Algarve
Portuguese icon Algarve Nut Sweet Bread
An upland sweet bread enriched with olive oil, spices and walnuts or almonds.
The Algarve