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There's more to Portuguese pastries than pastel de nata

peregrina2000

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Staff member
We have gotten a good introduction to the pastel de nata/pastel de Belem. Anyone walking in Portugal (at least anyone who likes and is able to eat sweets) needs to know about this delight.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/the-pastel-de-nata-debate-hot-or-room-temp.44970/

But it would be a mistake to limit pastry consumption in Portugal to that one type. There are TONS more, but I confess to being a little fuzzy on the details. So, I would appreciate hearing from the pros with specific names and descriptions of the pastries pilgrims are going to find in Portugal. Of course, the "look and point" method is good, too, but I'd be interested in learning more about what's what.

One I remember is travesseiro (?) from Sintra but I can't remember what it tasted like.

Help from the experts, please! Bom caminho.
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
We have gotten a good introduction to the pastel de nata/pastel de Belem. Anyone walking in Portugal (at least anyone who likes and is able to eat sweets) needs to know about this delight.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/the-pastel-de-nata-debate-hot-or-room-temp.44970/

But it would be a mistake to limit pastry consumption in Portugal to that one type. There are TONS more, but I confess to being a little fuzzy on the details. So, I would appreciate hearing from the pros with specific names and descriptions of the pastries pilgrims are going to find in Portugal. Of course, the "look and point" method is good, too, but I'd be interested in learning more about what's what.

One I remember is travesseiro (?) from Sintra but I can't remember what it tasted like.

Help from the experts, please! Bom caminho.
https://goo.gl/images/p5oVRo o bolo de arroz :) made of rice. .very tasty too !
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
I never thought my info for an April Camino Portuguese would contain so much detail on pastries!
Yummo and thanks very muchly.
Gerard
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Firstly I would like to say that in Portugal the traditional or conventual pastry is not for diabetics or people with high cholesterol because it is made with lots of sugar and egg yolks.
Pastries usually sell a wide variety of cakes, with some regional variations. I can not translate many names but will seem strange, like "Bacon from heaven" (Toucinho do Céu), "Snails" (Caracóis), "Bellies Nun" (Barrigas de freira), "Boobs" (Maminhas), "Rotten bread" (Pão Podre), and others that may offend some ladies.
Do not try to translate, you will not realize the true meaning.
Usually all have, Pasteis de Nata, Cupcakes, Rice Cakes, Coconut Cakes, Palmier, Jesuits, Argentines, Americans, Berlin Balls, Bean Cakes, Travesseiros (Pillows), etc.

My favorite cakes are:
Pão de Ló, of which it presents the moist interior,
Pudding "Abade de Priscos" (sweet from Minho),
Morgados and D. Rodrigo (sweets from Algarve),
Pão de Rala, Toucinho do Céu and Encharcada (Alentejo)
Pasteis de Vouzela (Viseu) e de Tentugal (Coimbra),
Doces de Ovos de Aveiro.

Some examples of traditional and conventual pastry:
Celestes de Santa Clara,
Pasteis de Santa Clara,
Gargantas de Freira,
Barrigas de Freira,
Fatias de Anjos,
Fatias de Tomar,
Fatias de Bispo,
Queijinhos do Céu,
Sericaia,
Tijeladas,
Queijadas de Sintra,
Cornucópias,
Castanhas de Ovos,
Manjar dos Deuses,
Fradinhos,
Ovos do Paraíso,
Briosas de Coimbra,....

Or by region:
Minho
  • Charutos de Ovos
  • Meias Luas
  • Papas doces de carolo
  • Fidalguinhos
  • Fataunços
  • Pasteis de São Francisco
  • Bolachas do Bom Jesus
  • Suspiros de Braga
  • Clarinhas de Fão
  • Barrigas-de-Freira
Douro Litoral
  • Sapatetas
  • Perronilhas
  • Lérias de Amarante
  • Tabafe
  • Pescoços de freira
  • Cavacas de Santa Clara
  • Amarantinos
  • Pão podre
  • Foguetes de Amarante
Trás-os-Montes
  • Morcelas
  • Jerimús
  • Madalenas do Convento
  • Doce de viúvas
  • Bolos de nozes de Bragança
  • Sestas
  • Pitos de Santa Luzia
  • Creme da madre Joaquina
  • Velharocos
  • Toucinho do Céu
  • Queijadas de Chilas
Beira Litoral
  • Pasteis do Lorvão
  • Nabada de Semide
  • Morcelas de Arouca
  • Arrufadas de Coimbra
  • Nógado de Semide
  • Lampreia de ovos das Clarissas de Coimbra
  • Melícias
  • Trouxas de ovos moles
  • Manjar Branco
  • Pastéis de Tentúgal
Beira Alta e Beira Baixa
  • Lâminas
  • Grades
  • Bolo de São Vicente
  • Argolinhas do Loreto
  • Taroucos de Salzedas
  • Esquecidos
  • Cavacas de Santa Clara
  • Bicas
  • Bolo Paraíso
  • Bolo São Francisco
  • Sardinhas Doces de Trancoso
Ribatejo
  • Sonhos da Esperança
  • Sopapo do Convento
  • Palha de Abrantes
  • Celestes de Santarém
  • Fatias de Tomar
  • Tigeladas de Abrantes
  • Broas das Donas
Estremadura
  • Bom bocado
  • Pão-de-ló do Mosteiro de Alcobaça
  • Argolas
  • Travesseiros
  • Tibornas
  • Bolos de Abóbora
  • Delícias de Frei João
  • Fitas de Páscoa
  • Castanhas de Ovos
  • Marmelada Branca de Odivelas
  • Toucinho do Céu de Odivelas
  • Pão-de-Ló de Alfeizerão
  • Nozes de Cascais
  • Pastéis de Belém
  • Pastéis de Feijão
Alentejo
  • Bolo podre conventual
  • Fatias reais
  • Bolo de mel de Santa Helena
  • Bolo de chavão
  • Coalhada do Convento
  • Biscoitos do Cardeal
  • Padinhas
  • Almendrados
  • Orelhas de Abade
  • Sopa dourada de Santa Clara
  • Toucinho do Céu de Santa Clara de Portalegre
  • Bom bocado
  • Encharcada
  • Sericaia
  • Pão de rala
  • Formigos
  • Tiborna de Ovos
  • Torrão Real de Ovos
  • Bolo Fidalgo
  • Queijo Dourado
  • Lampreia de Amêndoa de Portalegre
  • Presunto Doce
Algarve
  • Biscoita
  • Bolo de alfarroba
  • Bolo de chila e amêndoa
  • Bolo de amêndoas e nozes
  • Bolo de figo e amêndoa
  • Doce fino
  • Folar
  • Filhós algarvias das freiras de Tavira
  • Morgado
  • Queijo de figo
  • Queijinhos
  • D. Rodrigos
  • Massapão
  • Pudim da Serra
  • Torta de alfarroba
  • Torta de amêndoa
  • Torta de laranja
Ilha da Madeira
Açores
  • Bolo micaelense de Nossa Senhora da Esperança
  • Bolo do diabo
  • Hóstias de amêndoa
  • Malassadas
  • Rendilhados
  • Coquinhos
  • Cornucópias
  • Pudim Irmã Bensaúde


More:
http://www.docesregionais.com/tag/doces-conventuais/
 
Excellent list!

(My work hosts when I'm in Lisbon are always bringing homemade pastries to our meetings, usually made by their grandmothers "back in the village". I will have to bring them this as a checklist...)
 
Firstly I would like to say that in Portugal the traditional or conventual pastry is not for diabetics or people with high cholesterol because it is made with lots of sugar and egg yolks.
Pastries usually sell a wide variety of cakes, with some regional variations. I can not translate many names but will seem strange, like "Bacon from heaven" (Toucinho do Céu), "Snails" (Caracóis), "Bellies Nun" (Barrigas de freira), "Boobs" (Maminhas), "Rotten bread" (Pão Podre), and others that may offend some ladies.
Do not try to translate, you will not realize the true meaning.
Usually all have, Pasteis de Nata, Cupcakes, Rice Cakes, Coconut Cakes, Palmier, Jesuits, Argentines, Americans, Berlin Balls, Bean Cakes, Travesseiros (Pillows), etc.

My favorite cakes are:
Pão de Ló, of which it presents the moist interior,
Pudding "Abade de Priscos" (sweet from Minho),
Morgados and D. Rodrigo (sweets from Algarve),
Pão de Rala, Toucinho do Céu and Encharcada (Alentejo)
Pasteis de Vouzela (Viseu) e de Tentugal (Coimbra),
Doces de Ovos de Aveiro.

Some examples of traditional and conventual pastry:
Celestes de Santa Clara,
Pasteis de Santa Clara,
Gargantas de Freira,
Barrigas de Freira,
Fatias de Anjos,
Fatias de Tomar,
Fatias de Bispo,
Queijinhos do Céu,
Sericaia,
Tijeladas,
Queijadas de Sintra,
Cornucópias,
Castanhas de Ovos,
Manjar dos Deuses,
Fradinhos,
Ovos do Paraíso,
Briosas de Coimbra,....

Or by region:
Minho
  • Charutos de Ovos
  • Meias Luas
  • Papas doces de carolo
  • Fidalguinhos
  • Fataunços
  • Pasteis de São Francisco
  • Bolachas do Bom Jesus
  • Suspiros de Braga
  • Clarinhas de Fão
  • Barrigas-de-Freira
Douro Litoral
  • Sapatetas
  • Perronilhas
  • Lérias de Amarante
  • Tabafe
  • Pescoços de freira
  • Cavacas de Santa Clara
  • Amarantinos
  • Pão podre
  • Foguetes de Amarante
Trás-os-Montes
  • Morcelas
  • Jerimús
  • Madalenas do Convento
  • Doce de viúvas
  • Bolos de nozes de Bragança
  • Sestas
  • Pitos de Santa Luzia
  • Creme da madre Joaquina
  • Velharocos
  • Toucinho do Céu
  • Queijadas de Chilas
Beira Litoral
  • Pasteis do Lorvão
  • Nabada de Semide
  • Morcelas de Arouca
  • Arrufadas de Coimbra
  • Nógado de Semide
  • Lampreia de ovos das Clarissas de Coimbra
  • Melícias
  • Trouxas de ovos moles
  • Manjar Branco
  • Pastéis de Tentúgal
Beira Alta e Beira Baixa
  • Lâminas
  • Grades
  • Bolo de São Vicente
  • Argolinhas do Loreto
  • Taroucos de Salzedas
  • Esquecidos
  • Cavacas de Santa Clara
  • Bicas
  • Bolo Paraíso
  • Bolo São Francisco
  • Sardinhas Doces de Trancoso
Ribatejo
  • Sonhos da Esperança
  • Sopapo do Convento
  • Palha de Abrantes
  • Celestes de Santarém
  • Fatias de Tomar
  • Tigeladas de Abrantes
  • Broas das Donas
Estremadura
  • Bom bocado
  • Pão-de-ló do Mosteiro de Alcobaça
  • Argolas
  • Travesseiros
  • Tibornas
  • Bolos de Abóbora
  • Delícias de Frei João
  • Fitas de Páscoa
  • Castanhas de Ovos
  • Marmelada Branca de Odivelas
  • Toucinho do Céu de Odivelas
  • Pão-de-Ló de Alfeizerão
  • Nozes de Cascais
  • Pastéis de Belém
  • Pastéis de Feijão
Alentejo
  • Bolo podre conventual
  • Fatias reais
  • Bolo de mel de Santa Helena
  • Bolo de chavão
  • Coalhada do Convento
  • Biscoitos do Cardeal
  • Padinhas
  • Almendrados
  • Orelhas de Abade
  • Sopa dourada de Santa Clara
  • Toucinho do Céu de Santa Clara de Portalegre
  • Bom bocado
  • Encharcada
  • Sericaia
  • Pão de rala
  • Formigos
  • Tiborna de Ovos
  • Torrão Real de Ovos
  • Bolo Fidalgo
  • Queijo Dourado
  • Lampreia de Amêndoa de Portalegre
  • Presunto Doce
Algarve
  • Biscoita
  • Bolo de alfarroba
  • Bolo de chila e amêndoa
  • Bolo de amêndoas e nozes
  • Bolo de figo e amêndoa
  • Doce fino
  • Folar
  • Filhós algarvias das freiras de Tavira
  • Morgado
  • Queijo de figo
  • Queijinhos
  • D. Rodrigos
  • Massapão
  • Pudim da Serra
  • Torta de alfarroba
  • Torta de amêndoa
  • Torta de laranja
Ilha da Madeira
Açores
  • Bolo micaelense de Nossa Senhora da Esperança
  • Bolo do diabo
  • Hóstias de amêndoa
  • Malassadas
  • Rendilhados
  • Coquinhos
  • Cornucópias
  • Pudim Irmã Bensaúde


More:
http://www.docesregionais.com/tag/doces-conventuais/
Going to try them all Aurélio ,next time we are in Portugal.
Do they have the same kinds of at the island of Madeira ?
That will be our next goal coming March.

Abraço
Nel e Albertinho
 
Train for your next Camino on California's Santa Catalina Island March 16-19
Firstly I would like to say that in Portugal the traditional or conventual pastry is not for diabetics or people with high cholesterol because it is made with lots of sugar and egg yolks.
Pastries usually sell a wide variety of cakes, with some regional variations. I can not translate many names but will seem strange, like "Bacon from heaven" (Toucinho do Céu), "Snails" (Caracóis), "Bellies Nun" (Barrigas de freira), "Boobs" (Maminhas), "Rotten bread" (Pão Podre), and others that may offend some ladies.
Do not try to translate, you will not realize the true meaning.
Usually all have, Pasteis de Nata, Cupcakes, Rice Cakes, Coconut Cakes, Palmier, Jesuits, Argentines, Americans, Berlin Balls, Bean Cakes, Travesseiros (Pillows), etc.

My favorite cakes are:
Pão de Ló, of which it presents the moist interior,
Pudding "Abade de Priscos" (sweet from Minho),
Morgados and D. Rodrigo (sweets from Algarve),
Pão de Rala, Toucinho do Céu and Encharcada (Alentejo)
Pasteis de Vouzela (Viseu) e de Tentugal (Coimbra),
Doces de Ovos de Aveiro.

Some examples of traditional and conventual pastry:
Celestes de Santa Clara,
Pasteis de Santa Clara,
Gargantas de Freira,
Barrigas de Freira,
Fatias de Anjos,
Fatias de Tomar,
Fatias de Bispo,
Queijinhos do Céu,
Sericaia,
Tijeladas,
Queijadas de Sintra,
Cornucópias,
Castanhas de Ovos,
Manjar dos Deuses,
Fradinhos,
Ovos do Paraíso,
Briosas de Coimbra,....

Or by region:
Minho
  • Charutos de Ovos
  • Meias Luas
  • Papas doces de carolo
  • Fidalguinhos
  • Fataunços
  • Pasteis de São Francisco
  • Bolachas do Bom Jesus
  • Suspiros de Braga
  • Clarinhas de Fão
  • Barrigas-de-Freira
Douro Litoral
  • Sapatetas
  • Perronilhas
  • Lérias de Amarante
  • Tabafe
  • Pescoços de freira
  • Cavacas de Santa Clara
  • Amarantinos
  • Pão podre
  • Foguetes de Amarante
Trás-os-Montes
  • Morcelas
  • Jerimús
  • Madalenas do Convento
  • Doce de viúvas
  • Bolos de nozes de Bragança
  • Sestas
  • Pitos de Santa Luzia
  • Creme da madre Joaquina
  • Velharocos
  • Toucinho do Céu
  • Queijadas de Chilas
Beira Litoral
  • Pasteis do Lorvão
  • Nabada de Semide
  • Morcelas de Arouca
  • Arrufadas de Coimbra
  • Nógado de Semide
  • Lampreia de ovos das Clarissas de Coimbra
  • Melícias
  • Trouxas de ovos moles
  • Manjar Branco
  • Pastéis de Tentúgal
Beira Alta e Beira Baixa
  • Lâminas
  • Grades
  • Bolo de São Vicente
  • Argolinhas do Loreto
  • Taroucos de Salzedas
  • Esquecidos
  • Cavacas de Santa Clara
  • Bicas
  • Bolo Paraíso
  • Bolo São Francisco
  • Sardinhas Doces de Trancoso
Ribatejo
  • Sonhos da Esperança
  • Sopapo do Convento
  • Palha de Abrantes
  • Celestes de Santarém
  • Fatias de Tomar
  • Tigeladas de Abrantes
  • Broas das Donas
Estremadura
  • Bom bocado
  • Pão-de-ló do Mosteiro de Alcobaça
  • Argolas
  • Travesseiros
  • Tibornas
  • Bolos de Abóbora
  • Delícias de Frei João
  • Fitas de Páscoa
  • Castanhas de Ovos
  • Marmelada Branca de Odivelas
  • Toucinho do Céu de Odivelas
  • Pão-de-Ló de Alfeizerão
  • Nozes de Cascais
  • Pastéis de Belém
  • Pastéis de Feijão
Alentejo
  • Bolo podre conventual
  • Fatias reais
  • Bolo de mel de Santa Helena
  • Bolo de chavão
  • Coalhada do Convento
  • Biscoitos do Cardeal
  • Padinhas
  • Almendrados
  • Orelhas de Abade
  • Sopa dourada de Santa Clara
  • Toucinho do Céu de Santa Clara de Portalegre
  • Bom bocado
  • Encharcada
  • Sericaia
  • Pão de rala
  • Formigos
  • Tiborna de Ovos
  • Torrão Real de Ovos
  • Bolo Fidalgo
  • Queijo Dourado
  • Lampreia de Amêndoa de Portalegre
  • Presunto Doce
Algarve
  • Biscoita
  • Bolo de alfarroba
  • Bolo de chila e amêndoa
  • Bolo de amêndoas e nozes
  • Bolo de figo e amêndoa
  • Doce fino
  • Folar
  • Filhós algarvias das freiras de Tavira
  • Morgado
  • Queijo de figo
  • Queijinhos
  • D. Rodrigos
  • Massapão
  • Pudim da Serra
  • Torta de alfarroba
  • Torta de amêndoa
  • Torta de laranja
Ilha da Madeira
Açores
  • Bolo micaelense de Nossa Senhora da Esperança
  • Bolo do diabo
  • Hóstias de amêndoa
  • Malassadas
  • Rendilhados
  • Coquinhos
  • Cornucópias
  • Pudim Irmã Bensaúde


More:
http://www.docesregionais.com/tag/doces-conventuais/
whoa - am speechless.
who knew ??
thanks soo much - (much of those portuguese pastries have been converted into 'hip gold' over the years ... luckily some of it left again too :)
oh the yum!
thank you for sharing this abundance ...
obrigado -
 
Train for your next Camino on California's Santa Catalina Island March 16-19
As I am trying to shed a few kilos, I am finding this a very cruel thread. At least there are not too many photographs.
 
Join the Camino cleanup. Logroño to Burgos May 2025 & Astorga to OCebreiro in June
I had pastries for breakfast and lunch and in between!!! Was delicious!! Thanks for interesting read!! When returning to my home town i contacted the portuguese community and found a baker of pastei de nata just to have real ones at home too
 
Last edited:
Wow, now we know what "upscale pastries" look like. Rua Garret is not a part of town that I associate with religiosity and spirituality -- these nuns must also be shrewd capitalists. ;)

BTW, Aurelio, your post reminded me of a tidbit I learned (probably from you) a few years ago -- the reason that so many convents sell sweets that go very heavy on the egg yolk is because years ago they used egg whites to starch their habits and had a lot of yolks left over. Waste not want not.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.

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