Bacalhau

Bacalhau (bɐkɐˈʎaw) is the Portuguese word for cod and—in a culinary context—dried and salted cod. Fresh (unsalted) cod is referred to as bacalhau fresco (fresh cod). Bacalhau dishes are common in Portugal, and also in former Portuguese colonies such as Cape Verde, Angola, Macau, Brazil, and Goa. There are said to be over 1000 recipes for salt cod in Portugal alone and it can be considered the iconic ingredient of Portuguese cuisine. (Curiously it is one of the few species of fish not consumed fresh in this fish-loving country, which boasts the highest per capita fish consumption within the European Union). It is often cooked on social occasions and is the traditional Christmas Eve dinner in some parts of Portugal. Similar recipes can be found across Europe. It is also found in the cuisines of other territories and regions such as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Suriname. In Norway bacalao commonly refers to a specific Spanish-style dish prepared with salted and dried cod, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and olives which was assimilated to Norwegian cuisine in the 20th century, and is now officially spelled bakalao. For centuries, salted, dried cod came primarily from the North Atlantic fisheries of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland (bacalhau da Terra Nova) and Georges Bank, with the salting and drying done in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, with lesser volumes caught and dried in Iceland and Norway. It was a cheap food until the collapse of the cod stocks and dismantling of Portuguese bacalhoeiro fleet when it became more expensive, especially near Easter and Christmas time as it is a part of many traditional dishes of the holiday season. There are numerous bacalhau recipe variations, depending on region and tradition. In Portugal, it is said there are more than 365 ways to cook bacalhau, one for every day of the year; others say there are 1,001 ways. Whatever the exact number, bacalhau is a ubiquitous ingredient in Portuguese cuisine. Bacalhau is often served with potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams and fresh bread.