♪ MARIA: ON THIS EDITION OF "MARIA'S PORTUGUESE TABLE, COULDN'T WE GO BACK TO THE ISLAND OF SAN MIGUEL TO LEARN OF VIOLENCE ORIGINS, EASE SOME TASTY DESSERTS -- LEARN ABOUT THE ISLAND AT YOUR, TASTE SOME DESSERTS, AND MAKE SOME DELICIOUS RECIPES.

♪ MARIA: THE ISLAND OF SAN MIGUEL IS THE LARGEST AND MOST POPULOUS OF THE AZOREAN ARCHIPELAGO.

WHAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THAT PUNTA DELGADO WAS NOT THE FIRST SETTLEMENT ON THE ISLAND.

THE ORIGINS ARE MUCH FURTHER ON THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE ISLAND, ALONG THE RUGGED SHORES.

DISCOVERED IN THE 1400S SETTLERS CAME ON SHORE IN THE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS, COVERED IN MOUNTAINS SHADES OF GREEN AND RAVINES.

IT WAS HERE THAT THE HISTORY OF THE ISLAND BEGINS.

I AM SO LOOKING FOR A LOCAL AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN WAS KIND ENOUGH TO SHOW ME AROUND.

>> [SPEAKING PORTUGUESE] [LAUGHTER] MARIA: OKUMA BEAUTIFUL!

>> OK. [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: BEAUTIFUL.

IT IS PEACEFUL.

♪ MARIA: YES.

SO IT HAS COME A STORY OF THE AZORES.

THAT IS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.

SO BEAUTIFUL, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS.

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

♪ MARIA: WILL WE HAVE HERE IS A DOOR, A MONEYMAN SHOWING A TRIBUTE TO THE ORIGINAL SETTLERS THAT CAME IN.

THESE STORES ARE VOLCANIC LOVE LAVA STONE.

MARIA: AND OF COURSE, THE FACES, THAT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL.

[SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] [LAUGHTER] >> YOU HAVE THE DOLPHINS!

♪ MARIA: OUR TO HER OF DUST OUR TOUR -- OUR TOUR OF POVBOACAO TEXAS WHERE THE CELEBRITY OF FIRST MASS.

AND TO SEE THE ORIGINAL SPOT WHERE THEY GIVE GRACE AND THANKS FOR THEIR SAFE VOYAGE IS VERY SPECIAL.

THIS AMAZING SPOT OFFERED BREATHTAKING VIEWS OF THE RUGGED COASTLINE AND OF THE TOWN CENTER.

BUT I DIDN'T COME HERE JUST FOR THE ABUSE.

WE CAME IN SEARCH FOR THE FAMOUS PASTRY.

AND IT IS DONE THERE ALONG THE COBBLESTONE STREETS WHERE WE WOULD FIND IT.

OH MY GOODNESS.

[SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: GUYS, I AM GOING TO FIRST CUT -- I REALLY WANT TO BITE INTO IT, THAT IS WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO.

BUT I WILL CUT INTO IT SHOULD BE GENTLE.

OH, THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!

LOOK AT THAT.

I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THIS.

NOW, LOOK AT THAT.

THAT IS -- [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: POWDER CHOCOLATE!

OK. >> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: WOW.

THE CREAM, YOU CAN TASTE THE HINT OF VANILLA IN IT, IT IS VERY LIGHT.

THE OUTSIDE CRUST IS SO SOFT, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO EXPECT A CRUNCH BUT IT IS NOT, IS A VERY SOFTSHELL.

BEND THE CHOCOLATE IS JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SWEETNESS.

IT IS NOT OVERPOWERING SUITE.

THUS OVERPOWERING SWEET.

IT IS SWEET IN THE RIGHT WAY.

ANY TIME YOU ARE IN POCVOACAO, YOU SHOULD STOP HERE AND HAVE THIS DISH MADE BY MARIA.

♪ >> FOLLOWING MY TIME IN POVO ACAO, WE MADE OUR WAY ACROSS THAILAND ISLAND ALL THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL CITY OF WINTER DON'T GET DOWN -- OF PONTA D YOU COULD FIND HANDMADEELGADO.

TAPESTRIES IN THIS FAMILY-RUN SHOP.

A LIFELONG WEAVER DOING IT THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY, USING THESE LARGE WOODEN LOOMS.

I HAD TO STOP IN AND SEE ALL THE BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE PIECES FOR MYSELF.

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] >> GROWING UP, WE WOULD HAVE ALL THESE IN OUR BEDS.

THESE ARE ONLY FEAR, ALL WOVEN BY HAND.

IT WAS VERY BEST THEY ARE ONLY HERE, ALL WOVEN BY HAND.

NICE AND WARM.

IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

IT WOULD BE MADE WITH SCRAPS OF FABRIC SO PEOPLE HAVE THEIR WEDDING GOWNS, HUSBAND SUITS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO KEEP.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WOULD DO WITH PETER SCRAPS OF FABRIC.

-- THIS IS WHAT YOU WOULD DO WITH YOUR SCRAPS OF FABRIC.

LOOK AT THAT, IT WAS DONE BY HAND!

I COULD SPEND HERE ALL DAY.

I REALLY COULD.

JUTE!

THIS IS JUTE!

MY GOD.

IT WAS HANDWOVEN.

THIS IS ABSOLUTE ART.

IT IS A WORK OF ART.

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: YOU DON'T SEE LOOM WEAVING BY HAND ANYMORE.

IT IS ALMOST A LOST ART FORM, BUT IT IS INDEED AN ART FORM.

DURING OUR TIME THERE WE MET AN APPRENTICE FROM AUSTRALIA WHO HAD HEARD OF SENORA MARIA AND FOSTER OUT.

>> BEFORE I CAME HERE, I HAD HEARD OF HER AND WANTED TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE WHO DID THE WEAVING, AND I HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO EARN.

I ASKED HER IF SHE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN TAKING ME ON.

MARIA: AND SHE SAID YES?

>> YES.

>> I ASKED HOW LONG, SHE SAID COME THREE MONTHS AT LEAST.

MARIA: LIKE SHE SAYS, IS HER WHOLE LIFE SHE HAS BEEN DOING THIS.

AND SHE SAYS SHE IS STILL LEARNING.

BUT I LOVE THE PATTERN HERE.

!

THIS IS GORGEOUS.

I GOT TO WITNESS FIRSTHAND THE ARTISTRY, THE PATIENCE AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT GOES INTO EVERY PIECE OF WOVEN FABRIC.

IF FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS PRESERVING OUR TRADITIONS ONE W AT A TIMEEAVE -- ONE WEAVE AT A TIME.

SHE HAS AN AMAZING TALENT.

AND YOU NEED TO COME AND SEE HER.

SHE IS IT, FOLKS.

SHE IS IT!

♪ MARIA: THE CAPITAL CITY IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CAPITAL OF THE AZORES, AND IS THE MOST POPULOUS METROPOLITAN CITY OF THE ISLAND.

OUR HOTEL, WAS LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE MARINA, IDEALLY SITUATED TO EXPLORE THE CENTER OF THE CITY.

NO BETTER PLACE TO START THAN TAKING A STROLL THROUGH THE GATES OF THE CITY.

THE HISTORICAL ENTRANCE TO THE CITY OF PONTA DELGADA.

A BUSTLING CITY WERE LOCALS AND FIRSTS ENJOY CAFES, SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, AND THE WATERFRONT.

TODAY, THE FARMERS MARKET IS OPEN AND I AM ARMED WITH MY BASKET AND READY TO GO.

WE ARE AT THE MARKET RIGHT DOWN PONTA DELAGADA.

YOU WILL FIND THE FRESHEST VEGETABLES, THE FRESHEST FRUIT, AND EVERYTHING IS FROM OUR FARMERS, DIRECTLY FROM THEIR.

AND IT IS INDOORS YEAR-ROUND.

SO LET'S GO.

>> WHICH OF THESE THEM A >>2 EUROS?

OK.

THE MARKET IS ONE OF THE LARGEST FARMERS MARKET ON THE ISLAND.

THIS BUSY MARKET WITH STALLS BURSTING WITH FRESHLY PICKED LOCAL FRUITS, VEGETABLES, MEAT AND FISH.

NO MATTER WHERE A TREND, I SPOTTED SOMETHING ELSE TO ADMIRE, ESPECIALLY THE BEAUTIFUL SELECTION OF FLOWERS THROUGHOUT THE MARKET.

ACTUALLY WENT INTO SENSORY OVERLOAD WITH ALL THE VIBRANT COLORS AND AMAZING AROMAS.

I WANTED TO PICK UP EVERYTHING AND SMILE EVERYTHING, TOO.

SO FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND EVEN START A FRIENDLY CONVERSATION, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MAY RUN INTO.

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MY GRANDFATHER USED TO CUT HIS HAIR.

THE CAR GREAT THAT IS.

THAT IS GREAT!

AS I STROLLED THE FARMERS MARKET, I KEPT THINKING ABOUT THE WONDERFUL DESSERT I HAD BACK IN POVOACAO, AND IT GOT ME WANTING TO GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN AND MAKE SOMETHING ELSE, AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE RECIPE.

ALL I NEEDED WAS SOME WHITE CORNFLOWER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

I THINK I SEE FLOUR.

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: I AM HERE WITH MY GOOD FRIEND.

HE IS GOING TO TEACH ME HOW TO MAKE THE DISH.

♪ WHEN WE MIX EVERYTHING TOGETHER, WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING THE DOUGH THROUGH THIS CYLINDER HERE BUT AT THE VERY END HAS THIS BEAUTIFUL STARSHIP.

WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU PUSH THE DOUGH THROUGH AND IT COMES OUT INTO THESE SPIKES.

SO WE COMBINED THE TWO FLOURS TOGETHER.

OH!

ALL WITH HANDS.

OK, I AM GETTING IN.

AND I WILL BE MIXING IT ALTOGETHER.

THE ZEST OF A LEMON.

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] AND THEN THE LARD, PIG FAT, THERE IT IS, BEAUTIFUL.

I HAVE TO CLEAN THIS OFF REALLY WELL.

AND NOW?

THE SMELL!

I CAN SMALL BA -- I CAN SMELL THE LARD.

WE ARE GOING TO HEAT UP A COP AND THREE-QUARTERS OF MILK AND ADDING IT A LITTLE AT A TIME.

OK?

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: SO THIS DOUGH DID NOT NEED A CUP AND THREE-QUARTERS, IT ALL CAME TOGETHER.

ALMOST LIKE THEY ARE SAYING, YOU WILL KNOW WHEN IT IS READY?

YOU DO.

AND THERE IS.

IT IS FUN TO GET A CHANCE TO MAKE OLD RECIPES LIKE THAT, AND REALIZING THAT THIS IS A RECIPE THAT HAS SPANNED GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY AND MANY WITH A STORY AND HERITAGE -- ON MANY WITH THIS HERITAGE.

SOMETIMES WE FORGET TO SLOW DOWN A BIT AND MAKE THE TIME TO MAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL IN OUR OWN KITCHEN.

OH, I AM DOING A LOUSY JOB!

[LAUGHTER] >> I AM RUNRUINING IT!

YAY!

I DID IT!

>> >> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: WITH THE BAKING FULL, HE STOKED THE FIRE TO GET IT NICE AND HOT.

HE LET IT SIT IN THE OVEN ABOUT 15 MINUTES, AND WHAT COMES OUT IS GENERATIONS OF GOLDEN BROWN GOODNESS.

NOW THAT THE CORN SPIKES HAVE BEEN IN THE OVEN, IT IS VERY HOT.

AND LOOK AT THIS.

THAT IS GOOD.

I CAN HAVE THAT.

I COULD HAVE THIS ONE, IT IS PERFECT.

OH MY GOODNESS.

THERE IS A WONDERFUL CRUNCH.

YOU CAN TASTE THE BUTTER IN IT.

HAS A LITTLE BIT OF LEMON.

IT IS CRUNCHY, LUCIUS, AUTHENTIC.

-- DELICIOUS, AUTHENTIC.

SAN MIGUEL'S CAPITAL, PONTA DELAGADA, HAS A METROPOLITAN FEEL BUT WITH PLENTY OF OLD CHARM IN IT.

THE CITY IS FILLED WITH SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS ALONG COBBLESTONE STREET.

THE STEEPLES OF THE CHURCH ADORN THE SKYLINE, AND THE WATERFRONT IS INVITING DIVERSION ANYTIME OF DAY.

BUT TODAY, I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT -- EXPLORE PART OF OUR HERITAGE THAT IS NEITHER CULINARY NOR WELL-KNOWN.

A UNIQUE SPECIAL PART OF THE IS ORIAN DIAN -- OF THE AZOREAN DNA, OUR JEWISH ANCESTRY.

TO DO THAT, I AM HEADED TO THE CAPITAL.

>> >> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: NICE TO SEE YOU TOO.

>> PRITCH >> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: IT WAS A BLESSING TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE SPECIAL PART OF A AZOREAN.

CULTURE TO HEAR THE STORY OF WHETHER JEWISH SETTLERS HAD TO DO IN ORDER TO KEEP SECRET THERE FAITH.

IT AMAZES ME WHAT YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT YOUR HISTORY IN THE MOST UNLIKELY OF PLACES, AND IT IS WAY BETTER THAN ANY ONLINE DNA TEST.

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

MARIA: ALL THIS WALKING HAS BUILT UP MY APPETITE, AND I WAS READY TO SAMPLE SOME LOCAL FLAVOR.

TO DO THIS, I HAD A VERY SPECIAL GUEST JOIN ME.

PONTA DELAGADA'S MAYOR WAS KIND ENOUGH TO JOIN ME AND WALK ME THROUGH THE FLAVORS OF SAN MIGUEL.

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] >> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: WE TASTED OUR WAY THROUGH THE ISLAND'S BEST HOMEMADE PRODUCTS.

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] MARIA: TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN AND ENJOY SOME QUALITY TIME WITH THE MAYOR WAS VERY SPECIAL AND ENRICHING.

AND TELLING OF HIS STORY, THE MAYOR TOLD THE STORY OF THE ISLAND OF SAN MIGUEL.

BORN AND RAISED IN TPO VOACAO, RAISED TO THE THE ISLAND.

>> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] [LAUGHTER] >> [SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE] [CRUNCHING] MARIA: DELICIOUS.

SITTING AND TALKING WITH THE MAYOR, I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK HOW FAR OUR LITTLE ARCHIPELAGO HAS COME, FROM THE LITTLE-KNOWN HIDDEN TREASURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC TO THE GATEWAY TO EUROPE,, THE PITCH OF THESE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXPLORERS.

THAT DISCOVERERS.

AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FINALLY THE ROUTE IS DISCOVERING THE AZORES FOR THEMSELVES.

AND IT'S ABOUT TIME.

♪