History
The recipe for Arroz de Sarrabulho à Moda de Ponte de Lima dates back to the 17th century, when it was prepared in the manor houses and farmsteads of the region. In the 19th century it began to appear on the menus of restaurants across the municipality.
Several documents attest to the ancient preparation of the dish — notably a recipe very similar to the current one recorded in a correspondence copybook of the Casa de Bertiandos, in Ponte de Lima, dated between 1844 and 1850.
Clara Penha (1836–1924) is considered the pioneer of contemporary gastronomy in Ponte de Lima and the great reference of the origin of this rice dish. In the early 20th century, through her initiative, sarrabulho began to be served in various restaurants along the Lima river.
