What is "espetada"

n. A Portuguese dish made usually from large chunks of beef rubbed in garlic and salt, skewered onto a bay leaf stick with vegetables and left to grill over smouldering wood chips.

The espetada is a typical Portuguese dish made usually of large chunks of beef rubbed in garlic and salt, skewered onto a bay leaf stick cooked over hot coals or wood chips. Other meats including pork and chouriço are also commonly used, but there are also other types like those made from squid but this is not a typical dish from Madeira.

The dish can be served on a skewer which hangs from a hook on a stand as it is presented to you.

On the island of Madeira it is a very popular dish with many differing kinds of recipes and meats used. Bay leaf is usually used in the countryside as well as the bay leaf stick as a skewer, bolo do caco is usually eaten with it or milho frito, fried squares or triangles of firmly set polenta, to soak up the juices of the meat.