Aljezur’s Sweet Potato Festival is returning between November 26 and 28 in a bid to show everyone why locals consider Aljezur’s sweet potatoes to be the “best in the world.”
After a very different edition last year which involved mostly delivering sweet potatoes to people’s homes, the festival will return to the town’s Espaço Multiusos with “some restrictions and adaptations but much closer to a normal event.”
Returning are the several stands selling ‘petiscos’ (small-sized dishes), all of which highlight the different ways that local sweet potatoes can be used to create mouthwatering dishes.
Visitors will also be able to try roasted or fried sweet potatoes at the venue, or simply buy the sweet potatoes at the event and try cooking them at home.
The ingredient’s versatility will also be on show, with stalls selling everything from sweet potato chocolates and liqueurs to jams, firewaters (‘aguardente’), ice creams… and even craft beers!
Dozens of exhibitors will also take part in the festivities, selling local produce and artisanal handicraft.
In a statement to the press, Aljezur Council says that proving the quality of the borough’s sweet potatoes has been a “permanent concern” of the local authority throughout the last several decades. To do so, the council has worked together with the local sweet potato producers’ association.
“The festival is one of the most visible aspects of that partnership, its main goal being to value the agricultural production of this centuries-old product which has unique flavour and characteristics,” it adds.
The festival will begin at noon on all three days and come to a close at midnight on November 26 and 27 and at 10pm on November 28.
Admission and parking is free.
michael.bruxo@algarveresident.com
