Wherever you go in Central Portugal, or in any rural area throughout the country you will find people working the land,and many living off the land.

It is a way of life with long hours and low financial reward, and to own land is considered a sign of wealth on the basis of the more you own the more you can grow and so have more produce to sell.

In these areas you will not find signs of the disposable society, nothing is wasted.

All parts of an animal is eaten,and some of the dishes are really tasty,lamb shank, pigs stomach,pigs trotters I could not cope with but the others I enjoyed.

One thing is for sure,vegetables in this area are fresh and you can taste the difference.