dish
Maranho
By Carlos Prata
A traditional dish from the Beiras in which a goat's stomach is stuffed with kid meat, presunto, rice, and mint.
Maranho is one of Portugal's most distinctive regional dishes, originating in the Serra da Estrela. A goat's stomach is carefully cleaned and filled with chopped kid meat, cured ham, rice, fresh mint, parsley, and garlic. The stuffed stomach is sewn shut and slowly simmered for several hours.
The dish is a testament to the pastoral traditions of central Portugal's mountain communities. Maranho is typically found in local restaurants in Seia, Gouveia, and Manteigas. It demands patience and skill, rewarding the cook with a uniquely tender, aromatic preparation.