Eat Cozido in Sao Miguel
In the Azores archipelago, Furnas Village, one of the most visited sites on Sao Miguel, is located on the southeast side of Sao Miguel Island. It was built in the island's geothermally active center on the ruins of a long-dead volcano. Visitors have flocked here for generations to experience the mineral waters and natural hot pools because It is home to mineral water and hundreds of natural hot springs. And most importantly, they go to Sao Miguel to eat Cozido.
Cozido, sometimes known as Furnas, is called a typical Portuguese stew cooked with meat, potatoes, and vegetables like carrots and cabbage. This substantial dish, which is literally translated as "cooked in the boiler," is slowly cooked underground utilizing volcanic heat. Cozido comes in several forms across Portugal, but Cozido Nas Caldeiras can only be found in Furnas.
There is a Cozido location at Lake Furnas where local restaurants bring their stew to the boil. There is a specific subterranean pit for each restaurant, which is guarded by two guys who are in charge of setting the pots on the ground and continuing to remove them with long iron tongs. It is not just restaurants but anyone can use these cooking spots as long as they bring their own pot and put it underground for a fee of a few euros.
In sum, enjoying Cozido in Sao Miguel offers a great experience:
- Cozido is a typical Portuguese stew cooked with meat, potatoes, and vegetables such as carrots and cabbage.
- Slowly cooked in underground pits using volcanic heat.
- Anyone can use these cooking spots for a fee of a few euros.