Just as poncha can be drunk at any time on the island, bolo do caco is another of Madeira's gastronomic relics that can be eaten at any time, and not just with garlic butter, or as an initial snack. Accompany meals or make a meal all by itself. Made with flour, sweet potatoes, salt and water, without having to go into the oven. This means that whenever you see photographs in snack bar style restaurants with this bread, it is not any touristy trick, it is really the snack that locals like to eat right there or pick up to eat on the go. At Casa da Pedra, in Madalena do Mar, there are four sandwiches we highly recommend you try (take note: it is in front of the sea, so it is also a good place to sit on the balcony eating some tapas and letting yourself stay late to watch the sunset).
A prego is always a prego, a classic that never disappoints. And while a beef steak between two slices of bread always goes down well, no matter the time of day or the type of bread or any of the extras you cram in there, when it comes on toasted bolo do caco (Madeiran flat bread) with butter, it is out of this world. The specials also have cheese and lettuce.
Price: €4.20–€4.80
The tuna steaks in Madeira are succulent and melt in your mouth without having to spend very much (or even any) time in the pan. But another way to eat it is when it is pickled, with a good helping of onion to balance the flavour on the sandwich.
Price: €4.80
In a dry, crunchy purée, without a hint of fat: just the way you like it. This is the fried swordfish, which is stuffed inside homemade flatbread with sliced tomato and lettuce for that added freshness.
Price: €4.50
The octopus filling in this sandwich is not pickled, nor is it plain. This is Madeiran-style octopus, in a stew made with red pepper paste, concentrated tomato and white wine or Madeira wine. It comes finely chopped, on platters with petiscos (tapas) and accompanied with chips, or sliced and wrapped in flatbread. That will whet your appetite.
Prince: €4.90
Discover Time Out original video