Take A Bite of Bacalhau in Portugal
Salty.
Fishy.
Traditional.
Those are the best three words to describe a traditional Portugese dish called Bacalhau, which is translated as “dried and salted codfish.”
There are many other words people may use to describe this dish, mainly because it has been said there are over 1,000 recipes in Portugal alone! This is usually the case among most Portuguese dishes, which consists largely of seafood.
This traditional dish became common because of its popularity among the Catholic population. Because devout Roman Catholics generally avoid eating meat on Fridays and during Lent, fish is often times a typical substitute.
Typically the fish come from Iceland or Newfoundland, and are salted heavily. This is because of the ancient ways of preserving the fish, as well as adding flavor to it. If you are planning a trip to Portugal, you will more than likely find many restaurants serving bacalhau, and the possibilities are virtually endless on how it may be served. Whether served with potatoes and wine, or fried and served as appetizers with beer, you’ll appreciate taking part in a 500-year-old tradition in Portugal.
