Velhote

Velhote is a typical dessert of the parish of Valadares, Vila Nova de Gaia. Velhotes were baked for the first time in the 1880s by Maria Francisca da Silva - "A Braguesa" (a lady, who came from Braga) and soon became popular. Only a few of velhotes' history is known, but the legend says that when king Carlos I and Queen Amélie of Orleans came to Porto, they ate velhotes. Velhotes are a kind of sweet bread with sugar and cinnamon and are typically served on Saturdays and by the time of Sr. dos Aflitos, Valadares' most important religious feast.

The original recipe

The original recipe included flour, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, lemon juice, yeast and saffron, but the way of baking this sweet bread has changed a lot since the 19th century.

Confraria dos Velhotes

There is a "confraria gastronómica" (gastronomic brotherhood) in Valadares (Confraria Gastronómica do Velhote) which intends to dignify and spread the existence of "Velhote" as a typical sweet.

External links

• Website of Confraria Gastronómica do Velhote (in Portuguese)
• Tale about Velhotes' origins (in Portuguese)