ingredient
Vieiras
By Pedro Oliveira
Noble shellfish from the northern Portuguese coast, prepared grilled or in soupy rice dishes.
Scallops are among the finest shellfish of the Portuguese coast, particularly abundant in the cold northern waters. Their characteristic shell is the symbol of the Caminho de Santiago, linking gastronomy and pilgrimage.
In the Minho, vieiras are prepared simply — grilled with olive oil and lemon, or incorporated into arroz malandreiro. Fishing is regulated for sustainability, with the best specimens caught between autumn and spring.