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Legend of the Tripe Eaters

IndexWhat is a legend?The Legend of the Tripe EatersCultural ContextPorto TripeirosPrince HenryThe RecipeIn ShortA funny videoSources

What is a legend?A legend is a semi-true story, which has been passed on from person-to-person and has an important meaning or symbolism for the culture in which it originates. A legend usually includes an element of truth, or is based on historic facts, but with 'mythical qualities'. Legends usually involve heroic characters or fantastic places and often encompass the spiritual beliefs of the culture in which they originate.There are many different examples, like for example the American legend of the Bigfoot.

Legend of the Tripe EatersIn the year 1415, in the banks of the Douro River, the boats to take the Portuguese to conquest Ceuta and later to the Age of Discoveries were being constructed. The reason for this development was secret and in shipyards rumors were many and varied: some said that the vessels were intended to convey the Infanta D. Helena to England, where she would marry; others said it was to take the King John I to Jerusalem to visit the Holy Sepulcher. But there were also those who claimed that armada intended to conduct the Princes Pedro and Henrique to Naples to marry there ...

It was then that Prince Henry suddenly stopped in Porto to see the progress of the work and, although pleased with the effort, thought they could do even more. The Prince confided to master Vaz, the faithful man in charge of the construction, the true and secret reasons that lay behind it: the conquest of Ceuta. He asked the master and its men even more sacrifices, to which master Vaz assured him they would do to the Prince what they had done some thirty years ago when in war with Castile: all the flesh of the city would be sent to the war leaving the city of Porto with only the remaining guts . This sacrifice even had them valid the nickname "tripeiros". Touched, Prince Henry then told him that the name of "tripeiros" was a real honor for the people of Porto. The history of Portugal recorded for ever on this unusual sacrifice of the heroic "tripeiros" which contributed to the large fleet of the Prince Henry in its mission to conquest Ceuta.

Cultural ContextAs mentioned, the story happened in the early 15th century, in Porto, right in the start of the age of discoveries. At this point, the kingdom of Portugal was at peace, so it was in a better position than all the others in Europe to start to explore the rest of the world. The starting point was Ceuta, and the goal was to conquer the city and control the commercial routes that passed by there. However, as the plan failed, the Portuguese followed the African coast to make Portugal one of the richest and most important countries in the world for the next centuries.

PortoPorto put the Portu in Portugal. The name dates from Roman times, when Lusitanian settlements straddled both sides of the Douros banks. The area was briefly in the hands of Moors but was reconquered by AD 1000 and reorganised as the county of Portucale, with Porto as its capital. British-born Henry of Burgundy was granted the land in 1095, and it was from here that Henrys son and Portuguese hero Afonso Henriques launched the Christian reconquest, ultimately winningPortugalits status as an independent kingdom.Meanwhile, wine profits helped the citys industrialization, which began in the late 19th century, when elites in the rest ofPortugaltended to see trade and manufacturing as vulgar. Today, the city remains the economic capital of northern Portugal, surpassed only by much-largerLisbonin terms of economic and social clout.

Nowadays, Porto is one of the cultural centers of Portugal, having a very diverse choice between museums, concerts, theaters, churches or just the beauty of the streets in the city.Tradition is just a key element, as the city tries to conjugate the modern living with the old costumes. Being internationally recognized because of its culture, has been considered the best European travel destination in 2013.

TripeirosTripeiros(tripe eaters in English) was the name given to the inhabitants of Porto by Prince Henry in the 15th century as mentioned above.Across the years the name has gained roots and its still a very commonly used, being very dear to every person from that town.Nowadays has a common use in football, often used by the fans of SL Benfica (a team from Lisbon) to describe the fans of FC Porto, given the rivalry between the two teams.

Prince HenryHenry the Navigator, Prince of Portugal, was bornon the 4th of March 1394,in Porto, Portugal and diedon the 13th of November 1460, inVila do Infante, near Sagres. He was aPortuguese prince noted for hispatronageof voyages of discovery among theMadeira Islandsand along the western coast ofAfrica. The epithet Navigator, applied to him by the English, is a misnomer, as he himself never embarked on any exploratory voyages.

The Recipe Tripas moda do Porto

To be able to eat the guts of animals, the tripeiros made up a recipe made only with guts which is called Tripas moda do Porto. Heres how its cooked:Ingredients1 pound tripe-cooked and cut into 1-inch pieces1/2 to 3/4 pound veal shankSaltFreshly ground black pepperWater, to cover1/4 cup olive oil1/4 pound cured ham, small diced1/2 pound Chourico sausage, small diced2 cups chopped onions1 cup dried white beans, soaked overnight, cooked until tender and drained1/4 cup chopped parsley1 1/2 cups chopped carrots2 tablespoons minced garlic1/2 whole chicken, cut into 6 pieces1/4 cup Port1 cup chicken stock1/2 teaspoon ground cumin2 teaspoons piri-piri sauce or crushed red pepper2 bay leaves

PreparationSeason the tripe with salt and pepper. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, add the tripe and veal. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until tender. Drain and cool completely. Remove the veal from the shank and set aside. In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the ham, and saute for 1 minute. Add the sausage and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Add the onions, carrots, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to saute for 2 minutes. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken and saute for 1 minute. Add the port, chicken stock, cumin, red pepper and bay leaves. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Add the tripe, veal, and beans. Continue to simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with parsley.Recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse

In ShortAs this legend truly happened and there are no fictional happenings, the stories all across the web dont vary a lot on the story. The legend is kept as a symbol of pride in Porto because of the goodness and sacrifice its inhabitants had accepting to give all the good food they had for the good of the hole Kingdom. It is, because of those same motives, a very well noun story all across the country, symbolizing the true and noble spirit of the Portuguese people.

Statue of Prince Henry in Porto

A funny video

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKpTwwoRP3c15

Sourceswww.emerils.comwww.youtube.comwww.brittanica.comwww.lonelyplanet.comhelderpacheco.wordpress.comhttp://myths.e2bn.org/