Cod and the Portuguese people

Talking about cod is, strange as it may seem, talking about the history of Portugal. Behind the food hides the story of a country that from its smallness became the world and then became small, very rich in its fair size...

How did cod appear in Portugal?

As early as the 16th century, we find records of Portuguese fleets fishing for cod off the coasts of Newfoundland (present-day Canada), which is believed to have been discovered by Portuguese navigators. Cod fishing thus appears closely associated with the heyday of Portuguese sea voyages.
As cod is a cold-water fish, it was preserved in salt in order to withstand the long return journey. The English Navy provided protection to these fishing fleets in exchange for salt, an extremely valuable commodity at the time, and which Portugal produced in large quantities.

Cod is one of the most consumed and appreciated foods by the Portuguese. The centuries-old traditional Portuguese curing, with drying and salting, is natural, no chemical substances are added, and the nutritional properties of the fish are preserved. Normally, cod is sold dry and salted, but we can also find it already soaked and deep-frozen, an innovation in the Portuguese industry. It can also be found fresh and even preserved, but without the aroma, flavor and texture characteristics that result from traditional Portuguese curing.

Cod, like other fish, is easy to digest, presenting a high richness in proteins of high biological value, minerals such as iodine, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron and calcium and B complex vitamins. It is considered a lean fish and is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega 3 fatty acid, which has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system and a preventive role against cancer. and promotes the development of the immune system. It is important to remember the importance of carrying out the appropriate soaking process with the aim of rehydrating the tissues and removing the excess salt that was used in the curing and maturation of the cod, thus making this food product pleasant to the palate and with the characteristic texture that allows separation into chips.

This food, like all others, can be prepared in a healthy way. The addition of products such as cream, mayonnaise, butter or oil will change the caloric value. The fat of choice should be olive oil and you should try aromatic herbs such as paprika and pepper, instead of salt, to season cod dishes. The traditional cod cooked with vegetables is one of the examples in the panorama of healthy recipes.

There are 1001 different ways to cook cod! We here at  Quinta Estação Restaurant, like the oven-roasted cod, accompanied by with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Choose one, gather the people you like most, wear a beautiful smile, season it with a warm state of mind, and have an excellent meal.