Alheira

Alheira sold at a market in Portugal
Place of origin	Portugal
Region or state	Mirandela
Main ingredients	Beef, poultry, bread, olive oil, lard, garlic and paprika.
Other information	Kosher variation of aChouriço
Media: Alheira

Alheira (European Portuguese:[ɐˈʎɐjɾɐ]) is a type of Portuguese sausage, made with meats (usuallypork,veal,duck,chicken,quail orrabbit) andbread.

Althoughalheira derives fromalho (garlic) and was once used to describe any sausage seasoned with it, not all present-day alheiras contain garlic, though it is still a common ingredient.

The type of sausage that became known as "alheira" was invented by theJews of Portugal, also known asSephardic Jews, who in 1497 were given the choice of either beingexpelled from the country orconverting to Christianity. Thoseconversos who remained and secretly retained their beliefs avoided eating pork, forbidden in Judaism; this put them at risk of being noticed not to hang sausages, traditionally made of pork, in theirfumeiros (smokehouses).^[1] As a way to avoid attracting the attention of thePortuguese Inquisition, or, in rural areas, the Portuguese Christians, they began to make sausages from other meats such aspoultry andgame, mixed with bread for texture.^[2] With time,alheira spread to the remaining population and became an example of typical Portuguese cuisine, though nowadays its preparation is no longer strictly guided by Jewish dietary precepts.

Alheiras were traditionally grilled or roasted and served with boiled vegetables. Nowadays they are often fried and served accompanied by french fries and a fried egg. They are often one of the cheapest items on restaurant menus, although those made with game can be expensive.

Althoughalheiras are typically associated with the city ofMirandela, the regions ofBeira Alta andTrás-os-Montes are also famous for their alheiras.

Varieties withPGI protection status includeAlheira deVinhais andAlheira deBarroso-Montalegre.^[3][4]

• Farinheira
• List of sausages
• List of smoked foods
• List of Portugal food and drink products with protected status

• Taste Portugal
• Alheira (in Portuguese)
• Etymology (in Portuguese)
• History (in Portuguese)

• Portuguese sausages
• Portuguese products with protected designation of origin

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Pages with European Portuguese IPA