Karapaixo is a special type of bread or bread roll, which godmothers give to their godchildren during Lent (from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday). This gift is given until their wedding day as this is the time when it is considered they have become independent or reached maturity.

It is triangular in shape, with an egg in each corner and a chorizo (a spicy pork sausage) in the centre. It appears that it was originally called “garapaio” and the tradition dates back to before Roman times, when it was baked to welcome spring. Bread, as well as grain production, symbolised abundance and the eggs represented new life.

Nowadays, delicious sweet or savoury karapaixos are prepared in bakeries around the region.