HEATHER’S REAL MADEIRA...
Madeiran people are amongst the most
welcoming and friendly you will ever meet. They are kind
and generous people, humble yet proud at the same
time. I believe that this emanates from the major role the
Catholic Church plays in their lives. This is a Matriarchal,
God fearing island with a respectful work ethic - both
past and present. Look beyond the rows of banana trees
and vineyards to the age old terraces that are no longer
farmed - terraces that were hand built and in places that
mountain goats might think twice about venturing into!
Look at the building development and the rate at which
it is achieved. Look at the tunnels!!
There's no better example of the friendliness than
the times when my parents would arrive for their annual
sojourn here - they'd find their plants had been tended,
cared for and expanded upon whilst they were back
‘home’; and no sooner had they unpacked they would
hear the gate bell ring only to find a string of onions or
bucket of potatoes waiting for them to welcome them
back. Even if folk have very little they will share it with
you. In essence there is an honour system here that I feel
very comfortable living within and I do believe visitors to
our island can feel this spirit.
As a food lover with a passion for cooking I love
the fresh, local produce that you find on the island.
Being surrounded by the sea waters of the Atlantic,
fresh fish and sea food are always in abundance. Tuna,
Baccalhau (the local name for Cod) Espada (a deep sea
scabbard fish) fresh sardines and limpets are but a few.
Just the thought of Espetada - chunks of beef smeared
in garlic and rock salt, skewered on a stick of Bay Leaf
and grilled over hot coals - and a good Picado or Piri
Piri chicken, has my taste buds quivering. The contrast
between the eateries in Funchal and those found out in
the countryside is quite vast but then so are the prices.
That said, even though fine dining is not the norm the
haute cuisine one can find in Funchal is some of the
best and cheapest I’ve eaten in Europe.
What this island gives me is the gift of truly
living in the moment; a garden which provides me with
so much joy and colour and produce; a neighborhood
with a true sense of community and I have people from
all over the world coming to stay!
Heather’s Favourite Local Produce...
Bolo de Mel - Honey Cake. What the locals consider their national cake. Dark
and rich and made with honey, cane sugar and almonds.
Poncha is a popular tasty yet potent regional beverage made with rum, local
honey and fresh lemon juice or orange
juice or passion fruit juice.
Madeira wine is a fortified wine, very
robust due to a process which involves
heating the wine up to 60C.