New Bedford Whaling Museum Screening ‘Malassada Day’

If you love malassadas as much as I do and have a soft spot for preserving tradition, this one’s for you.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is set to screen Malassada Day, an award-winning documentary, on Thursday, March 20.

The film, directed by Dante Bellini Jr., dives deep into the cultural significance of malassadas and the dedicated women who keep the tradition alive in both the Azores and mainland Portugal.

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This is why the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament in New Bedford is so important. It acts as a reminder to keep the old world traditions of Portuguese culture alive and well, just as the film intends.

According to the Portuguese American Journal, the event is part of the Portuguese Lusophone-World Lecture Series and will feature a panel discussion with Bellini himself, along with special guests Maria Lawton (chef, host, and producer of Maria’s Portuguese Table) and Michael Benevides (owner of Portugalia Marketplace in Fall River) – local ties to the SouthCoast.

Malassada Day highlights the importance of culture in a rapidly changing world, as well as diving into the culinary works of how the Portuguese make the beloved deep-fried dough.

Tickets for the in-person screening are $5 for museum members and $10 for the general public. Seating is limited, so advance purchase is recommended. If you’d rather watch from home, free virtual registration is available via Zoom webinar.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate a sweet piece of Portuguese heritage.