Four must-try desserts in Aveiro

All over Portugal Aveiro is famous for its ovos moles- a 90 calories geographically certified cookie that you will either hate or love. Besides it, there are a few more sweets you shouldn't miss while you are visiting my current hometown. Although most of the local delicacies were invented in XIX century, by the nuns with very limited resources, nowadays the offer is much more extensive and so you are likely to find something you like.   

Tripas de Aveiro

The most precise description of "tripas" would be "a raw crepe" but the truth is, "tripa" doesn't taste as horrible as that sounds. In fact, it's quite tasty and the long cues next to the kiosks where they are sold witness that. The name itself is even worse than the description. In Portuguese, "tripa" means intestines. It's said it comes from the way the dough was folded initially. 

This delicacy was invented in Aveiro in seventies, along with the equally famous and more crispy "American cookie" ("bolacha Americana"). It was sold along the beach in the summer, but soon after the kiosks started popping up around the city. Tripa can be served with anything - from different jams, to cheese and bacon. Recently, they are also sold with Twix, Kinder bueno and other famous chocolates. 

TIP: According to the vendors, the bestsellers are the ones with ovos moles and chocolate. For 2 in 1, try the one with ovos moles.

Gelados de Portugal

Even though I am not at all an ice-cream person, I make an exception for this one! "Gelados de Portugal" (Ice-creams of Portugal) was created in 2013, by a company from Aveiro, but today is popular all over the country. They are famous for innovative tastes that promote typical Portuguese flavours like Porto wine, pineapple from the Azores or "pastel de nata". Here, you will find an ice cream flavour from every region of Portugal, and being the company from Aveiro, there is, obviously the one of ovos moles. Vegans will also be happy, as there are different kinds of sorbets, such as raspberry, fig, blueberry, among others. 

TIP: The café of Gelados de Portugal is in the center of Aveiro and easy to find. Still, as it's always packed with tourists and a bit pricy, so I recommend you to take a big box from a supermarket (it has a special packing that allows it to stay for one hour out of the fridge) and enjoy it in the beach. Much more pleasure, and much cheaper. 

Pastel de nata from Costa Nova

If you have already been to Portugal certainly you are familiar with the famous "Pasteis de Belem". This irresistible custard tart was first made In 1837, following an ancient secret recipe from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Lisbon. All over the country many establishment try to copy this recipe. Some do it well, others not so much. However, there is a famous place in Costa Nova beach where the "fake" pasteis are equally good as the originals! In Atlantida pastry shop, you will find one of the favourite Portuguese sweets always fresh and warm, and you will have a chance to eat them while enjoying the beautiful view over the Aveiro lagoon. 

TIP: Don't forget to put some cinnamon on the top of your "pastel". Ask for: "canela, por favor".

Ovos Moles

The last one and definitely the most famous one you will either love or hate! In fact, locals are crazy about it, but foreigners not so much. However, you can't visit Aveiro without tasting an "ovo mole" ("soft egg"), a dessert invented in an old city convent that Aveiro is famous for. This unusual dessert has got only two ingredients: egg yolk and sugar. These were the only products that the nuns from the convent in Aveiro were able to find, and so they did what they could - they mixed it. It does sound simple, but obviously only the most experienced cooks know how to make it. The cream is cooked at a certain temperature and later on "packed" inside of miniature rice paper casings in the shape of shells or fish. If you happen to like ovos moles, there are even workshops (look for "Fabridoce") where you can learn how to make it. 

TIP: Have your ovo mole with a coffee. It's too sweet, so it will make a nice balance. If you prefer a more delicate version of it it, look for an alternative, those mixed with almonds for example.