Xistopedia

Cabbage, cod, olive oil and new wine complete the party in Malhada Velha

Cabbage, cod, olive oil and new wine complete the party in Malhada Velha
active nature
Every year the village is enlivened by a tradition that marks the end of the “hard work” of the olive harvest.

Cabbage, cod, olive oil and new wine seasoned with joy and a good mood are the ingredients that are served in the Lagarada da Malhada Velha, Fundão council, a tradition celebrated each year once the olive season is over. Nobody remembers exactly how long ago it started, but it is known that, at least since there has been an olive press in the village, there has been the Lagarada.
The olive harvest is “hard work and this has been a way for people to celebrate the end of the season and socialise”, explains Filipe Gonçalves, the head of Olho Vivo - Associação de Caça e Pesca, the body that organises the initiative. Originally confined to the owners of the olive press, the initiative evolved and, in the hands of Olho Vivo, it has extended into the community over the years. The idea is “not to let a village tradition, which people always want to be a part of, die”, he emphasises.

We are interested in everything that is about our culture and our traditions.

In recent times, many participants have come from abroad to dine in the olive press and then walk through the village streets, from winery to winery, trying the new wine and the culinary delicacies specially prepared for this event. This is the case with Adelaide Abreu, José Maria Abreu and Rosalina Castro who came from Guimarães. “We know the country very well and we did a lot of research. I watch a lot of television and call the local authorities and parish councils to find out what is going on”, says Adelaide. They booked the weekend to tour the region, which they have visited on orevious occasions. Before reaching Lagarada, they passed through Vila Nova de Poiares to eat chanfana and visit the Panasqueira Mine Museum. The Bodo in Honour of Saint Sebastian, in Janeiro de Cima, was part of their plans for the following day.

 

 

The conviviality, the good humour and the warm welcome are aspects that they highlighted about their visit.“This is what characterises us as Portuguese”, argues Adelaide. “It feels good to meet people and it’s a way that, when we come back here, we Ken already meet familiar faces”, she remarks. “I’m in my own world. How wonderful! I am delighted”, added Rosalina. José Maria Abreu nods, showing that he agrees with the ladies.

A taste for tradition brings together 80 people

It is precisely the taste for tradition that, year after year, brings together families, friends and friends of friends to the Lagarada. This year, on 19th January, around 80 people gathered together. Even with forecasts of rain, which turned out to be true, turnout was as expected, according to Filipe Gonçalves. After about 150 cyclists participated in 2018, this year it was necessary to limit the number of entries. This ensures “that the activity isn’t watered down and there are the conditions to welcome everybody suitably”, and offer everybody a quality experience.
 


After dinner, the concertina players, hired to entertain the party, soon got the attention of everyone present. A circle formed around them, and before long they were sharing the limelight with the villagers, who began singing traditional “desgarradas”, that is, improvised songs.
 


In the midst of the music, conviviality and good humour, there was still room for business. In a video call, one of those present managed to show his mother, who was speaking from Israel, everything that was happening at the Lagar da Malhada Velha. And so 5 litres of olive oil were exported.
It was then time to tour the wineries and taste the new wine. This year, six wineries were visited. Manuel Agostinho, Manuel Antunes, Paulo Freire, Dionísio Gonçalves, Filipe Gonçalves and António Goncalves opened their doors and loaded their tables with food and drink, generously welcoming all the participants. “It’s a pleasure and I’m proud to welcome people to my house”, Dionísio Gonçalves told us. In the winery that he built with his own hands, and with the conviviality of his family and friends in mind, Dionísio explains that “this is a tradition like no other and so it mustn’t end”, and for this reason, he makes a point of taking part.
 


Manuel Agostinho and António Gonçalves not only open the doors of their wineries, but also make a point of contributing to the dinner every year. They are master chefs and, with the help of other residents, they cook the famous “cabbage” with codfish, generously coated with the new olive oil. And, of course, to accompany this, the wine, which is also new. Without work, “everything dies” and both are keen to ensure that tradition continues as it always has. 
 


No hunger or thirst survives the Lagarada and, about a week later, the meeting will be scheduled for the beginning of next year.

Text: Andreia Gonçalves

explore

restaurants
Casa da Ti Augusta
Casa da Ti Augusta
Figueira
restaurants
Varanda do Casal
Varanda do Casal
Casal de São Simão
restaurants
Fiado
Fiado
Janeiro de Cima
restaurants
Museu da Chanfana
Museu da Chanfana
Miranda do Corvo
restaurants
Callum
Callum
Oleiros
restaurants
As Beiras
As Beiras
Pampilhosa da Serra
restaurants
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
restaurants
Fugas Restaurant
Fugas Restaurant
restaurants
Bem-Me-Quer
Bem-Me-Quer
Martim Branco
lodging
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Caldas de São Paulo
lodging
Casa do Talasnal
Casa do Talasnal
Talasnal
lodging
Mountain Whisper
Mountain Whisper
Gondramaz
lodging
Casas de Água Formosa
Casas de Água Formosa
Vila de Rei
lodging
Casa Cova do Barro
Casa Cova do Barro
Janeiro de Cima
lodging
Aldeia Oliveiras
Aldeia Oliveiras
Proença-a-Nova
lodging
Casa Lausus
Casa Lausus
Talasnal
lodging
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Talasnal
lodging
Casas da Serra do Açor
Casas da Serra do Açor
Casal Novo, Arganil
tour
Irrigating Cova da Beira [GRZ - MTB Sector 2]
Irrigating Cova da Beira [GRZ - MTB Sector 2]
heritage
Alvoco das Várzeas Medieval Bridge
Alvoco das Várzeas Medieval Bridge
village
Figueira
Figueira
tour
Schist Walking Trail of Aldeia das Dez 3 – The Footprint of the Ermit
Schist Walking Trail of Aldeia das Dez 3 – The Footprint of the Ermit
Hotel Rural Quinta da Geia
village
Ferraria de São João
Ferraria de São João
offer
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
tour
Under the Sign of Cabril - Felgueiras Rest Area > Álvaro - GRZ on Foot: Stage 3
Under the Sign of Cabril - Felgueiras Rest Area > Álvaro - GRZ on Foot: Stage 3
village
Sobral de São Miguel
Sobral de São Miguel
offer
Night Canoeing on the Santa Luzia Dam
Night Canoeing on the Santa Luzia Dam
heritage
Roman Villa of Rabaçal
Roman Villa of Rabaçal
heritage
Church of São Bartolomeu
Church of São Bartolomeu
offer
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando

next events

event
Exhibition "Living the Interior"
Exhibition "Living the Interior"
13 sep 2024 - 13 oct 2024, 10:00
Proença-a-Nova
event
XX Chestnut Festival
XX Chestnut Festival
12 oct 2024 - 13 oct 2024, 21:00
Aldeia das Dez
event
Alambicada in Aigra Velha
Alambicada in Aigra Velha
13 oct 2024, 10:00
Aigra Velha
event
III Festival das Sopas
III Festival das Sopas
13 oct 2024, 12:00
Candal
event
Festival do Achigã em Vila de Rei
Festival do Achigã em Vila de Rei
18 oct 2024 - 27 oct 2024
Vila de Rei
event
AXTrail na Serra da Lousã
AXTrail na Serra da Lousã
18 oct 2024 - 20 oct 2024, 10:00
Aigra Nova, Aigra Velha, Candal, Casal Novo, Cerdeira, Chiqueiro, Comareira, Gondramaz, Pena, Talasnal
event
Festival Gastronómico Sabores de Outono
Festival Gastronómico Sabores de Outono
18 oct 2024 - 27 oct 2024, 11:00
Lousã
event
Festival Gastronómico do Bucho Recheado
Festival Gastronómico do Bucho Recheado
18 oct 2024 - 20 oct 2024, 18:00
Pedrógão Grande
event
Moonlight Talasnal
Moonlight Talasnal
18 oct 2024 - 13 dec 2024, 20:30
Talasnal
event
Feira Franca de Fajão
Feira Franca de Fajão
19 oct 2024, 10:00
Fajão
event
ART&TUR – Festival Internacional de Cinema de Turismo
ART&TUR – Festival Internacional de Cinema de Turismo
22 oct 2024 - 25 oct 2024, 20:00
Lousã
event
Doze Meses, Doze Caminhadas: Olhar a Brama
Doze Meses, Doze Caminhadas: Olhar a Brama
27 oct 2024 - 01 dec 2024
event
Festa das Nozes em Casal de S. Simão
Festa das Nozes em Casal de S. Simão
27 oct 2024, 08:00
Casal de São Simão
event
Colcurinho Epic Trail
Colcurinho Epic Trail
27 oct 2024, 08:00
Aldeia das Dez
event
Feira dos Santos, do Mel e da Castanha
Feira dos Santos, do Mel e da Castanha
01 nov 2024 - 02 nov 2024, 08:00
Góis
event
XVIII Feira de Doçaria Conventual
XVIII Feira de Doçaria Conventual
01 nov 2024 - 03 nov 2024, 10:00
Figueiró dos Vinhos
event
Feira do Porco e do Enchido de Meruge
Feira do Porco e do Enchido de Meruge
09 nov 2024 - 10 nov 2024, 15:00
Meruge
event
Feira do Mel e da Castanha
Feira do Mel e da Castanha
22 nov 2024 - 24 nov 2024, 18:00
Lousã