Borrego de Montemor-o-Novo (Montemor-o-Novo lamb)
IGP Borrego de Montemor-o-Novo is packaged and refrigerated Portuguese lamb carcasses or pieces weighing between 9 and 12 kg.
Geographical area
Restricted to the parishes of Ciborno, Santiago do Escoural, Foros do Vale Figueira, N.S. do Bispo, N.S. da Vila, S. Cristóvão and Silveiras in the subdistrict of Montemor-oNovo, to the parishes of São Sebastião da Giesteira, N.S. da Boa Fé and N.S. de Guadalupe in the subdistrict of Évora, to the parishes of Arraiolos, Sabugueiro and São Pedro de Gafanhoeira in the subdistrict of Arraiolos and to the parish of Brotas in the subdistrict of Moura.
Evidence
Established through use, particularly due to its presence on the market since at least 1990, under the collective name of "BORREGO TRADICIONAL DE MONTEMOR-0-NOVO" [TRADITIONAL MONTEMOR-ONOVO LAMB].
Method of production
The product is obtained from animals of the Menino Branco regional breed.
Link
The Menino Branco regional breed is found on combined arable and cattle farms situated in Alentejo, which has a distinctly Mediterranean agricultural climate with dry and hot summers and typically Mediterranean spontaneous pastures,
Gastronomy Borrego de Montemor-O-Novo IGP lamb should be kept at a temperature of between 2°C-4°C. It cannot be sold frozen but it may be frozen once acquired, and for domestic use. The meat cannot be eaten earlier than 72 hours after slaughter. It can only be kept in the fridge for a few days after buying. This lamb is used in many traditional local dishes such as caldeirada de borrego, borrego assado no forno de lenha and borrego frito em azeite e alho. Certain cuts are delicious simply grilled, such as the ribs and chops. Borrego de Montemor-O-Novo IGP lamb is very tender and has very little fat. It has a delicate and succulent flavour.
Reference: The European Commission