Description
The Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO is lamb from the Bordaleira breed of sheep which has been used since ancient times for its excellent milk and from which the famous Queijo Serra da Estrela PDO cheese is made.
Production Area
Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO lamb is produced in the municipal areas of Algodres, Gouveia, Mangualde, Manteigas, Nelas, Oliveira do Hospital, Penava do Castelo, Seia, Arganil, Covilhã, Guarda, Tábua, Tordela and Viseu, which are in the districts of Coimbra, Guarda and Viseu.
Production Method
The principal use for which the Bordaleira breed of sheep is reared, from which Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO lamb is produced, is for its milk. During the winter the sheep are kept indoors or, weather permitting, on the low altitude pastures. However in the summer they are taken up to the high altitude pastures, where they graze on the local flora of the Serra, which gives the milk a unique flavour. Up until the 1940s it was traditional to take the flocks to the pastures in the Alentejo region. The lambs are only fed on their mothers' milk and are slaughtered at 30 days old, when they reach a weight of approximately 12 kg. The sheep are medium in size and are white in colour.
Appearance and Flavour
Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO is particularly tender and has a delicate taste and an even distribution of fat.
History
The history of Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO is linked to the presence of the Bordaleira breed of sheep in the Serra da Estrema which dates far back into the past. Some experts would have it that they descend directly from the wild Muflone which lived here even before the fourth ice age. Other experts believe that high altitude pastures in the Serra Mountains have existed for 8.000 years. The link between this sheep and the famous Queijo da Estrela PDO cheese was even sung about in the opera, Auto dos Pastores written by Gil Vicente in the 16th century. This sheep is also called Borrego de Canastra indicating the traditional basket made from the wood of the oak tree which was traditionally used to transport this meat.
Gastronomy
Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO must be stored at a temperature of between 2°C-4°C. It cannot be frozen before it is sold but it may be frozen once acquired for domestic use. Once bought the meat can only be kept in the fridge for a few days. The meat cannot be eaten earlier than 72 hours after slaughter. Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO is used in many old traditional recipes of the Beiras area such as borrego de escabeche, arroz de miúdos de borrego, borrego assado, fressura de borrego and many more.
Marketing
This lamb is only sold as Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO. It is sold refrigerated in pieces weighing up to 7 kg which may include the offal, which, however is already removed and prepacked.
Distinctive Features
In the villages of the Serra, dishes such as borrego assado en forno de lenha, borrego estufado and fried lamb ribs have become classic dishes for both family and religious celebrations, underlining the fact that Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO is very much a speciality for the local population.