Velhote

Velhote is a traditional sweet bread from the village of Valadares in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, known for its square shape. It is made with eggs, sugar, margarine, and flour and is typically served during local festivities like the Sr. dos Aflitos Feast in July. The dough is shaped into a roll and assembled to resemble a rectangle, and once baked, dusted with powdered sugar. The recipe, dating back to the 1880s, was created by Maria Francisca da Silva, a woman from Braga, and has since evolved. The bread’s unique flavor comes from ingredients like cinnamon, lemon juice, and occasionally saffron. It is celebrated by a local gastronomic brotherhood dedicated to preserving this culinary tradition.