Visiting the Canned Fish Capital of the World | Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern | Travel Channel

Visiting the Canned Fish Capital of the World | Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern | Travel Channel

Discovering Portugal’s Culinary Heritage

Portugal, once a cultural superpower, is reclaiming its culinary identity after years of economic struggles. The country is now focusing on tourism and showcasing its rich seafood traditions. Lisbon, the capital city, is a patchwork of ancient and modern architecture, with eateries serving traditional Portuguese cuisine.

The Art of Canning Fish

Ramirez, a 160-year-old canning company, is one of the last remaining canneries in Portugal. The company produces 45 million cans of sardines, tuna, and mackerel each year. Quality control technician Mario Erosu ensures that the fish is processed with precision and care. The canning process involves removing heads, skin, and guts, boiling, and then hand-filleting the fish.

A Lost Art

The filleting process is a lost art, requiring skill and speed. The women working at Ramirez can fillet up to 6,000 pounds of fish per day. The fish is then sealed and sterilized before being shipped to over 45 countries worldwide.

Canned Fish Goes Gourmet

In Lisbon, a gourmet restaurant called Cann is promoting the health benefits of canned fish. The restaurant serves dishes made entirely from canned fish, including sardines, mackerel, and octopus. While some dishes are delicious, others are less impressive.

A New Era for Portuguese Cuisine

Portugal is stepping out of the shadow of its Spanish neighbor and declaring itself a culinary superpower. With its rich seafood traditions and innovative approach to canned fish, the country is poised to become a major player in the culinary world.

Term Definition Example Usage
Culinary Heritage Traditional cooking methods and recipes passed down through generations, reflecting a country’s cultural identity. Portugal is reclaiming its culinary heritage by focusing on its rich seafood traditions.
Canning A food preservation method where food is sealed in airtight containers and heated to kill bacteria. Ramirez, a 160-year-old canning company, produces 45 million cans of sardines, tuna, and mackerel each year.
Filleting The process of removing the bones and skin from a fish, typically done by hand. The women working at Ramirez can fillet up to 6,000 pounds of fish per day.
Gourmet High-quality food and drink, often served in upscale restaurants. Cann, a gourmet restaurant in Lisbon, serves dishes made entirely from canned fish.
Culinary Superpower A country or region recognized for its exceptional cuisine and influence on the culinary world. Portugal is stepping out of the shadow of its Spanish neighbor and declaring itself a culinary superpower.
Seafood Traditions Traditional methods of catching, preparing, and consuming seafood, often passed down through generations. Portugal is focusing on its rich seafood traditions to promote its culinary identity.
Quality Control The process of ensuring that products meet certain standards of quality, often through inspection and testing. Mario Erosu, a quality control technician, ensures that the fish is processed with precision and care.
Artisanal Traditional methods of producing food or crafts, often using high-quality ingredients and techniques. The filleting process at Ramirez is an artisanal skill that requires skill and speed.
Culinary Identity A country or region’s unique culinary characteristics, reflecting its culture and traditions. Portugal is reclaiming its culinary identity by promoting its seafood traditions and innovative approach to canned fish.
Culinary World The global community of chefs, restaurants, and food enthusiasts that shape and influence culinary trends. Portugal is poised to become a major player in the culinary world with its innovative approach to canned fish.

Discovering Portugal’s Culinary Heritage Vocabulary Quiz

Test your knowledge of the vocabulary from the article!

Question 1: Patchwork

What does the word “patchwork” mean in the context of Lisbon’s architecture?

  • A) A style of building that involves using only one type of material
  • B) A mixture of different architectural styles and periods
  • C) A type of fabric used in construction
  • D) A method of building that involves using only local materials

Question 2: Precision

What does the word “precision” mean in the context of Mario Erosu’s work?

  • A) The ability to work quickly and efficiently
  • B) The ability to work with great attention to detail and accuracy
  • C) The ability to work with a wide range of materials
  • D) The ability to work with a large team

Question 3: Filleting

What does the word “filleting” mean in the context of the canning process?

  • A) Removing the bones from the fish
  • B) Cutting the fish into small pieces
  • C) Removing the heads, skin, and guts from the fish
  • D) Cutting the fish into thin slices

Question 4: Sterilized

What does the word “sterilized” mean in the context of the canning process?

  • A) Heated to a high temperature to kill bacteria
  • B) Cooled to a low temperature to preserve freshness
  • C) Sealed in airtight containers to prevent spoilage
  • D) Packaged in decorative containers for presentation

Question 5: Poised

What does the word “poised” mean in the context of Portugal’s culinary future?

  • A) Ready to take action and become a major player in the culinary world
  • B) Unprepared and uncertain about the future
  • C) Already a well-established culinary power
  • D) Uninterested in pursuing culinary excellence

Answer Key

1. B) A mixture of different architectural styles and periods

2. B) The ability to work with great attention to detail and accuracy

3. A) Removing the bones from the fish

4. A) Heated to a high temperature to kill bacteria

5. A) Ready to take action and become a major player in the culinary world

Modal Verbs: Ability and Certainty

Explanation

Modal verbs such as “can”, “could”, “may”, and “might” are used to express ability, permission, possibility, and certainty. In the text, we see examples of how these verbs are used to describe the capabilities of the women working at Ramirez and the potential of Portugal’s culinary scene.

For example, “The women working at Ramirez can fillet up to 6,000 pounds of fish per day” shows the ability of the women to perform a specific task. On the other hand, “Portugal is poised to become a major player in the culinary world” uses the verb “poised” to express certainty about the country’s future.

Quiz Time!

  1. According to the text, what can the women working at Ramirez do?

    1. They can cook up to 6,000 pounds of fish per day.
    2. They can fillet up to 6,000 pounds of fish per day.
    3. They can seal and sterilize up to 6,000 pounds of fish per day.
    4. They can ship up to 6,000 pounds of fish per day.

  2. What is the canning process at Ramirez?

    1. Removing heads, skin, and guts, boiling, and then hand-filleting the fish.
    2. Boiling, hand-filleting, and then removing heads, skin, and guts.
    3. Hand-filleting, boiling, and then sealing the fish.
    4. Sealing, sterilizing, and then boiling the fish.

  3. What is the restaurant Cann promoting?

    1. The benefits of eating sardines.
    2. The health benefits of canned fish.
    3. The importance of traditional Portuguese cuisine.
    4. The advantages of cooking with mackerel.

  4. What is Portugal’s culinary scene becoming?

    1. A major player in the culinary world.
    2. A minor player in the culinary world.
    3. A traditional Portuguese cuisine.
    4. A gourmet restaurant scene.

  5. What is the company Ramirez producing?

    1. 45 million cans of sardines, tuna, and mackerel each year.
    2. 45 million pounds of sardines, tuna, and mackerel each year.
    3. 45 million cans of octopus each year.
    4. 45 million pounds of fish each year.

Answer Key

  1. B
  2. A
  3. B
  4. A
  5. A

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