View source for Espetada

{{Short description|Technique of cooking food on skewers}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name             = ''Espetada''
| image            = Zum Grill umgebautes Fass mit Espetada-Spießen II.jpg
| image_size       = 300px
| caption          = 
| alternate_name   = 
| country          = [[Portugal]]
| region           = [[Madeira]]{{Citation needed|date= December 2020}}
| creator          =
| course           = Main
| served           = Hot
| main_ingredient  = [[Meat]]
| variations       =
| calories         =
| other            =
}}

'''''Espetada''''' (also known as '''''espetinho''''', especially in [[Brazil]]) is the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] term used for the technique of cooking food on [[skewers]], and for the [[dish (food)|dishes]] prepared that way. ''Espetada'' is a traditional dish in [[Portuguese cuisine]].

In Portugal, ''espetadas'' can be prepared with different types of meat, as well as squid or fish, with [[monkfish]] being commonly used. The most common are beef or pork, or a mixture of the two. More recently, turkey or chicken is used. Often pieces of bell pepper, onion, and ''[[chouriço]]'' are placed between the meat pieces. ''Espetada'' is usually accompanied by white rice or potatoes, and salad.

In [[Madeira]], beef on [[bay laurel]] skewers is a typical dish, with origins in the [[Strait of Câmara de Lobos]]. The meat, after being cut into cubes and before being grilled, is seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and bay leaf. It is then cooked over hot coals or wood chips.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/recipes/espetada-beef-brochettes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624013706/http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/recipes/espetada-beef-brochettes/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 24, 2008 |title=Espetada - Madeira recipe |access-date=2011-06-28}}</ref> ''[[Bolo do caco]]'' is usually eaten with it, or ''[[milho frito]]'', fried squares or triangles of firmly set polenta, to soak up the juices of the meat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://madeira-lisa.blogspot.com/2009/04/espetada-madeira-beef-cooked-on-bayleaf.html |title=Espetada madeira beef cooked on a bayleaf stick 
 |access-date=2011-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326083737/http://madeira-lisa.blogspot.com/2009/04/espetada-madeira-beef-cooked-on-bayleaf.html |archive-date=2012-03-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The dish can be served on a skewer which hangs from a hook on a stand for presentation.

<gallery>
File:Espetada.jpg|Grilling ''espetada'' at a Portuguese community day in [[Petersham, New South Wales|Petersham]]
File:Espetada,Boaventura-Sao Jorge - panoramio.jpg|''Espetada'' before being cooked
File:Zum Grill umgebautes Fass mit Espetada-Spießen.jpg|Cooking over [[ember]]s
File:Espetada de vaca em Linda-a-Velha.jpg|''Espetada'' after being cooked
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of Portuguese dishes]]
* [[Sosatie|South African Sosatie]]
* {{portal-inline|Food}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{barbecue}}

[[Category:Pork dishes]]
[[Category:Grilled skewers]]
[[Category:Madeiran cuisine]]
[[Category:Portuguese cuisine]]
[[Category:Brazilian cuisine]]
[[Category:Beef dishes]]


{{Meat-stub}}
{{portugal-cuisine-stub}}