Alheira

Alheira is a distinctive sausage from Mirandela in Trás-os-Montes, traditionally made with poultry, bread, garlic, and paprika. Its origin story is remarkable: during the Inquisition, Jewish families created these pork-free sausages to hang in their smokehouses alongside their neighbours' chouriços, disguising their religious dietary practices.

Today, alheira is made with a mix of poultry, game, veal, and sometimes pork, stuffed into natural casings and lightly smoked. It is typically deep-fried until the casing crisps and served with a fried egg and chips. Alheira de Mirandela holds PGI status and has become one of Portugal's most popular sausages nationwide.