It’s not uncommon for people to confuse Portuguese food with Spanish food before they visit Portugal for the first time. The two countries are neighbors with a shared border and intertwined histories.
Bacalhau (salt cod) has been an integral part of the Portuguese diet for centuries and for good reason. Salting cod not only adds flavor but also removes the need for refrigeration.
Cod isn’t the only popular finned fish in Portugal. Sardines take center stage on outdoor grills in warm summer months and hit the plate as a dish called Sardinhas Assadas.