Bife de tartaruga

Bife de tartaruga ("turtle steak") is a traditional Cape Verdean dish, particularly on the Ilha de Santiago.^[1]

In December 2002, the Cape Verdean government prohibited the killing of turtles by law, per their participation in the Convenção sobre Diversidade Biológica in 1995 e a Convenção sobre Comercio Internacional de Espécies de Fauna e Flora Selvagem Ameaçadas de Extinção (CITES).^[2]

Preparation

To prepare the dish, turtle meat is cut into steaks and seasoned with salt, malagueta, garlic, and white wine. It is then left to marinate for an hour. It is then cooked with onion and butter over a high flame.

The steaks are usually served with white rice and cooked mandioca.

References