Rojões facts for kids
Rojões (pronounced "roh-ZHOYNSH") is a yummy fried pork dish from Portugal. It's especially famous in the Minho region, which is in the north of the country. Think of it as a delicious meal made with special cuts of pork!
The word "rojões" can mean two things: it's the name of the dish itself, and it's also the name for the boneless pieces of pork meat used in the dish. These pork pieces usually have a little bit of fat, which helps them taste great when cooked.
What are Rojões?
In northern Portugal, chefs often use pork cuts from the leg, shoulder, or belly to make rojões. These pieces are fried in lard (which is pork fat) in a big pan, often an iron one. This cooking method makes the pork super tasty and a bit crispy.
Rojões is a very well-known dish across all of Portugal. You can find it in many places, not just in the Minho region where it started.
Different Kinds of Rojões
Just like many popular dishes, rojões has different versions depending on where you are in Portugal:
- Minho Style: This is the original version, sometimes called rojões à minhota or rojões à moda do Minho. It's the one most people think of.
- Bairrada Style: From the Bairrada region, these are called rojões da Bairrada.
- Porto Style: In the city of Porto, you might find rojões à moda do Porto.
Rojões with Clams
There's another famous Portuguese dish called carne de porco à alentejana. Even though it has a different name and comes from the Alentejo region, it's actually a type of rojões! The big difference is that this version always includes clams, which are a type of shellfish. So, you could think of it as "rojões with clams."
