The (probably) Flemish-influenced local cheese is the star. Still, one can’t really make a substantial meal out of a dairy product, right?
By the way, there is no right answer to that question. I’m a biased Sao Jorge cheese enthusiast, so living off a cheese-and-bread diet for a few days is absolutely possible. But the island has other foodie favorites that I should tell you about.
Exceptional, tasty, meaty clams from the famous Caldeira de Santo Cristo (a Nature Reserve and Special Ecological Area) are rare on the island.
These are organic clams, not farmed, which means harvesting them may be subject to local environmental regulations. On the other hand, you’re not here to harvest them but to taste them, so ask around for restaurant recommendations.
Equally famous, the espécies are spicy and sweet treat horseshoe-shaped pastries with a filling seasoned with cinnamon, anise, and pepper. Don’t be alarmed by this combination; the spicy kick is surprisingly well-balanced and mild.
Hi Sandra
Many thanks for your informative post and wonderful photos!
As an older Australian , it is unlikely that I will ever be lucky enough to visit Sao Jorge and Velas. My paternal great great grandfather and his brother were born there though they shared different surnames. In their late teens they sailed from Lisbon to Sydney, Australia where they both married and spent the remainder of their lives. I would love to discover more about their childhoods in Velas so that’s why I’m contacting you . Can you please tell me if there is a museum or family history site in Velas that might have records I could read online? I would be grateful for any assistance you can give though I know it is a long shot as records have probably been destroyed in times of volcanic eruptions on the island.
Thanks, in anticipation for any assistance you can provide.
Regards
Michele
Hello Michele! I’m a part of this Facebook group on Azores Genealogy, which I believe it’s a great resource to find other resources (and also connect with the rest of the Azorean diaspora): https://www.facebook.com/groups/azoresgenealogy/ Alternatively, the Azores government has most of the records digitalised on two websites: http://www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt/ig/registos/Default.aspx and http://www.arquivos.azores.gov.pt Both websites are in Portuguese and the records will be too, but the members of the Facebook group I mentioned before will all chip in to translate if needed. Let me know if this helps!
Wow! Many thanks for your prompt reply Sandra! I’m certainly eager to look at the websites and join the Facebook group. I would love to find out how my ancestors travelled from Velas to Lisbon and the ship on which they travelled to Australia.
Thanks again for your information. It has certainly sparked my curiosity even more!
Kind regards
Michele
I love the Azores and appreciate your commitment to this series. I have only been to Sao MIguel but I hope to visit one or two more islands the next time I visit!
Thank you Jaime! Yes, you definitely have to visit all islands when you have the time 🙂
very nice & useful post . Thanks for your sharing