Gastronomy is one of the products “that may significantly contribute to the promotion of the tourism sector in the Azores,” defended the Regional Director for Tourism, Miguel Cymbron in Ponta Delgada on Monday during the presentation of the regional applications for the contest “Seven Gastronomic Wonders” by the Azores Gastronomic Brotherhood.

According to Miguel Cymbron, “this will be an initiative that may contribute, this year, to the strengthening and assertion of the Azores” similar to what happened last year with the initiative “Seven Wonders of Portugal.”

For the Regional Director for Tourism, the sector “is inseparable from gastronomy, given the transverse nature of this phenomenon as, regardless their motivation, tourists will become acquainted with local cuisine through a basic need such as nutrition.”

“On the other hand, gastronomy is one of the most significant manifestations of the local culture, because it reflects the habits and traditions of a people through the use of ingredients, the way how they are prepared and are presented,” added the Regional Director.

The applications submitted by the Azores Gastronomic Brotherhood are the following: appetisers, Fried Linguiça Sausage with Yams, Fried Blood Sausage with Pineapple; soup category, “Sopas do Espírito Santo” (Holy Spirit Soups); fish category, Roasted Octopus and Fried Cod with “Molho de Vilão” (onion and vinegar sauce) and “Minhotes” (small yams).

In the meat category, the Brotherhood selected the “Cozido das Caldeiras” (meat stew cooked in hot springs), Regional Steak, “Caldo de Nabos” (turnip Broth) and “Alcatra” (pot roast); in the seafood category, Grilled Limpets, Boiled Barnacles and Boiled Slipper Lobster with Green Sauce (onion and parsley sauce); in the dessert category, “Queijadas da Vila” (Vila Franca cupcakes), Tea Pudding and D. Amélia Cake.

Moreover, the applications for “Bolo Lêvedo” (leavened sweetbread), Pineapple, Regional Pepper and Tea have also been submitted by the Gastronomic Brotherhood.

The contest “Seven Gastronomic Wonders” is being organised similarly to the previous contest “Seven Natural Wonders.” Currently, the selection of the 70 dishes, from which the 21 finalists will be selected, is taking place. These finalists will be then subject to popular vote and the announcement of the winners is scheduled for September.