Octopus

In the north region of Portugal and also in the north area of Center of Portugal there is the habit of eating octopus on the evening of December 24th, instead of codfish.

In the north region of Portugal and also in the north area of Center of Portugal there is the habit of eating octopus on the evening of December 24^th, instead of codfish.

Either octopus rice, boiled octopus with boiled potatoes or fried octopus filets, the result is absolutely delicious!

This gastronomic habit was highly oppressed by the dictatorship of Salazar that imposed codfish as the main Christmas dish. During those times, there was even octopus smuggling in the north of Portugal and octopus was seen as a very exquisite ingredient, suitable for a special festive season like Christmas. Those populations resisted, and nowadays octopus is still the king of Christmas tables!