Cod, a Symbolic Marker of Portuguese Food Identity: A Look at the Trás-Os-Montes e Alto Douro Territory

Abstract

The food heritage considers all the human existence variables infiltrating inside of economic, social and cultural territories. This work intended to examine the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro traditional gastronomy, by analysing the best-selling dishes in local restaurants and presenting cod as an obvious marker of regional cuisine. The research strategy was anchored in a triangulation methodology of sources (culinary books and 148 surveys by questionnaire) and data (quantitative and qualitative), aiming to study the different perspectives of the Trás-osMontes and Alto Douro gastronomy and also achieving a more complete explanation of the obtained outcomes. The results showed a predominance of cod in the menus, which is consistent with the cultural practices, being a powerful identity marker.