FRANCESINHA, IN THE LITERARY STYLE OF BOCAGE*

Ode to Francesinha: Poetic Delights of Porto

 

 

Oh, supreme delight that enchants the taste buds,

Francesinha of Porto, born and bred here.

Allow me to sing your flavors in poetry,

in an ode to the pleasure that goes beyond mere satiety.

 

On toasted and crunchy bread,

you embrace the succulent, tender and vibrant steak.

And in your hug of melted cheese and spicy sauce,

gluttony finds delight, oh gratifying thing!

 

In secret, ham, fresh sausage, and linguiça hide,

and the fiery sauce, with seasoning that gods ignite,

turns you into an explosion of experienced flavors,

an invocation of the senses.

 

Oh, Francesinha, joy of the gods of taste,

in you, Porto lets its essence vibrate.

In every bite, in every sigh,

the pleasure of ecstasy that I breathe.

 

Francesinha, exotic and captivating name,

echo from a distant land, of French gastronomy,

brought here by a humble emigrant,

recreated in Porto with mastery and ability.

 

Born in Regaleira, in the midst of the sixties,

once an exclusive jewel of that place that gave it life.

Today, through alleys and avenues, its fame has grown,

and every corner of the city has a Francesinha of its own.

 

I surrender to your seduction, oh sublime delicacy!

In every bite, I find joy,

with every bite, the flame is lit

with the passion for this city that inflames the people.

 

Thus, I, Bocage, on this stage of culinary poetry,

sing to Francesinha, a delicacy revered in Porto.

With every sip, a blast,

an ode to elevation, where seasoning reigns.

 

 

*This text was written in the reimagined literary style of the Portuguese poet Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage, in a combination of Artificial Intelligence and human intervention. We had Bocage taste the most famous sandwich in the city, and this was the result.