17 Italian Salted Fish Recipe Get Cooking And Enjoy!
Published on: Mar 17, 2024
Italian cuisine is renowned for its rich and flavorful dishes, and one of the most beloved ingredients in traditional Italian cooking is salted fish. This delicacy has been a staple in Italian households for centuries and is often used to add depth and complexity to a variety of dishes. In this article, we will explore the history of Italian salted fish and provide you with a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe that will have you savoring the taste of Italy in every bite.
Main Ingredients: Fish, Olive Oil, Garlic, Pepper Flakes, Dry White Wine
If you're looking for a comforting and flavorful dish, this easy homemade Italian fish soup is the perfect recipe. It's a hearty and delicious meal that will warm you up on a chilly evening. The combination of fresh seafood, tomatoes, and herbs creates a rich and aromatic broth that is simply irresistible.
To make this soup, start by sautéing onions, garlic, and celery in olive oil. Then add in diced tomatoes, white wine, and clams. Let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Next, add in your choice of fish, such as cod or halibut, and let it cook until tender. Finally, add in some fresh herbs like thyme and oregano for an added depth of flavor.
2of 16
Mimi's Italian Fish Stew
Main Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Filets, Crushed Red Pepper
This traditional Italian fish stew, known as cioppino, is a family favorite and is sure to become one of yours too. The combination of shrimp, scallops, mussels, and white fish creates a mouthwatering seafood medley that is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night in.
To make Mimi's Italian fish stew, start by sautéing onions, garlic, and fennel in olive oil. Then add in crushed tomatoes, clam juice, and white wine. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. Next, add in your choice of seafood and let it cook until tender. Serve with some crusty Italian bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
This Italian seafood stew is a lighter and healthier version of the classic cioppino. It's packed with shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels, as well as cannellini beans for added protein. The broth is made with vegetable stock and tomato paste, giving it a rich and flavorful base.
To make this stew, start by sautéing onions, garlic, and celery in olive oil. Then add in the tomato paste and cook for a few minutes before adding in the vegetable stock. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. Then add in your choice of seafood and beans and let it cook until tender. Serve with some crusty Italian bread for a delicious and healthy meal.
4of 16
Simple Italian Pan Fried Fish
Main Ingredients: Perch, Salt, Olive Oil, Italian Parsley, Lemon, Fish
This simple Italian pan fried fish is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It's made with a citrus marinade that infuses the fish with bright and tangy flavors. The fish is then lightly coated in breadcrumbs and pan-fried to a golden and crispy perfection.
To make this dish, start by marinating your choice of fish in a mixture of lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil, and garlic. Let it sit for about 30 minutes in the fridge. Then coat the fish in a mixture of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs. Pan fry until the fish is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden. Serve with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
5of 16
Sole Piccata
Main Ingredients: Fish Fillets, Salt, Ground Black Pepper, Flour, Extra
This classic Italian dish is a must-try for all seafood lovers. Sole piccata is a delicate and flavorful fish dish that is sautéed in a lemon butter sauce and topped with capers and parsley. It's easy to make and is sure to impress your dinner guests.
To make this dish, start by coating the sole fillets in a mixture of flour, salt, and pepper. Then pan fry them in butter until golden and crispy. In the same pan, make a lemon and white wine sauce by adding in some butter, lemon juice, and capers. Let the sauce thicken and then pour it over the fish. Garnish with some fresh parsley and serve with a side of pasta for a complete and delicious meal.
6of 16
Grilled Whole Fish with Italian Bread Salad
Main Ingredients: Cherry Tomatoes, Onion, Pepper, Garlic Cloves
This grilled whole fish with Italian bread salad is a show-stopping dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The fish is marinated in a garlic and herb mixture and then grilled to perfection. The Italian bread salad, known as panzanella, is made with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and crusty bread that is soaked in a balsamic vinaigrette.
To make this dish, start by marinating the fish in a mixture of garlic, lemon juice, and Italian herbs. Grill the fish until it is cooked through and the skin is crispy. To make the panzanella, combine diced tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion with chunks of crusty bread. Dress with a simple balsamic vinaigrette and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve the grilled fish on top of the bread salad for a stunning and delicious meal.
7of 16
Fish Lasagna. How to Make it Italian Style
Main Ingredients: Squid, Cuttlefish, Sea Bass, Scampi, Shrimps, Tomato
If you're tired of the same old lasagna, try this Italian-style fish lasagna for a refreshing twist. This dish is made with layers of white fish, spinach, ricotta cheese, and tomato sauce. It's a delicious and indulgent meal that is perfect for a special occasion.
To make this dish, start by making a simple tomato sauce by sautéing onions, garlic, and Italian herbs in olive oil. Then add in crushed tomatoes and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. In a separate pan, cook the white fish until tender. Then assemble the lasagna by layering the fish, spinach, ricotta cheese, and tomato sauce. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and the lasagna is heated through. Serve with a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
This traditional Italian dish is a must-try for seafood lovers. Baccala, or salt cod, is a staple in Italian cuisine and is usually served during the holidays. It's a simple dish that is made with salt cod, potatoes, garlic, and olive oil. The result is a flavorful and tender fish that is perfect for any occasion.
To make this dish, start by soaking the salt cod in water for about 24 hours to remove the excess salt. Then boil the cod with potatoes until both are tender. In a separate pan, sauté garlic in olive oil and add in the cod and potatoes. Cook until the flavors have melded together and the fish is fully cooked. Serve with a side of vegetables for a complete and delicious meal.
9of 16
Pasta Puttanesca
Main Ingredients: Pasta, Olive Oil, Small Yellow Onion, Garlic
This classic Italian pasta dish is full of bold and briny flavors that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Pasta puttanesca is made with a tangy tomato sauce that is infused with anchovies, olives, and capers. It's a quick and easy dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
To make this dish, start by making a simple tomato sauce by sautéing onions, garlic, and anchovies in olive oil. Then add in crushed tomatoes and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. In a separate pan, cook your choice of pasta until al dente. Add the cooked pasta to the tomato sauce and toss to coat. Finally, add in olives, capers, and red pepper flakes for a burst of flavor. Serve with some freshly grated parmesan cheese for a delicious and satisfying meal.
10of 16
Italian One Pot Cod Fish Soup
Main Ingredients: Light Olive Oil, Onion, Minced Garlic, Celery Sticks
This Italian one pot cod fish soup is the perfect meal for a busy weeknight. It's packed with vegetables, white fish, and rice, making it a complete and hearty meal. The best part? It all cooks in one pot, making clean up a breeze.
To make this soup, start by sautéing onions, garlic, and carrots in olive oil. Then add in chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, and rice. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes before adding in the white fish. Let it cook until the fish is fully cooked and tender. Serve with a side of crusty bread for a delicious and easy meal.
This Italian-style salmon is a simple and flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The salmon is marinated in a garlic and herb mixture and then baked to perfection. It's an easy and healthy meal that the whole family will love.
To make this dish, start by marinating the salmon in a mixture of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian herbs. Let it sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse. Then bake the salmon in the oven until it is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Serve with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete and nutritious meal.
12of 16
Grilled Marinated Swordfish Italian Style
Main Ingredients: Swordfish Steaks, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Fresh
This grilled marinated swordfish is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a summer cookout. The swordfish is marinated in a citrus and herb mixture and then grilled to perfection. It's a simple and flavorful dish that is sure to impress your guests.
To make this dish, start by marinating the swordfish in a mixture of lemon juice, orange juice, garlic, and Italian herbs. Let it sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Then grill the swordfish until it is cooked through and the edges are slightly charred. Serve with a side of grilled vegetables for a complete and delicious meal.
13of 16
Pesto Salmon and Italian Veggies in Foil
Main Ingredients: Skinless Salmon Fillets, Fresh Green Beans, Olive Oil
This pesto salmon and Italian veggies in foil is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight. The salmon is topped with a homemade pesto and then baked in foil with a variety of vegetables. It's a complete and flavorful meal that requires minimal prep and clean up.
To make this dish, start by making a simple pesto with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil. Spread the pesto on top of the salmon fillets and then place them on a sheet of foil. Add in your choice of vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Wrap everything up in the foil and bake in the oven until the salmon is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve with a side of quinoa for a complete and nutritious meal.
14of 16
Traditional Italian Baccala with Chickpeas
Main Ingredients: Baccala, Olive Oil, Onion, Celery, Garlic, Chopped
This traditional Italian baccala with chickpeas is a satisfying and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold day. The baccala, or salt cod, is cooked with chickpeas and tomatoes until tender and flavorful. It's a simple and comforting meal that will warm you up from the inside out.
To make this dish, start by soaking the salt cod in water for about 24 hours to remove excess salt. Then boil the cod with chickpeas and tomatoes until everything is tender. Serve with a side of crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
15of 16
Zuppa di pesce alla napoletana (Neapolitan-Style Fish...
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Peperoncino, Olive Oil, San Marzano Tomatoes
This Neapolitan-style fish soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion. It's made with a variety of seafood, such as shrimp, clams, and squid, as well as tomatoes and Italian herbs. The result is a rich and flavorful soup that will transport you to the streets of Naples.
To make this soup, start by sautéing onions, garlic, and Italian herbs in olive oil. Then add in crushed tomatoes, white wine, and seafood stock. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes before adding in your choice of seafood. Let everything cook until the seafood is tender and the flavors have melded together. Serve with a side of crusty bread for a complete and delicious meal.
16of 16
Creamy Seafood Alfredo
Main Ingredients: Fettuccine, Shrimp, White Fish, Squid Tubes, Cream
If you're in the mood for a decadent and indulgent meal, this creamy seafood alfredo is the perfect choice. It's made with a rich and creamy sauce that is infused with shrimp, scallops, and mussels. Tossed with some fettuccine pasta, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser.
The History of Italian Salted Fish
The Origins
Salted fish has been a staple in Italian cuisine since ancient times. The process of salting and preserving fish was used as a method to keep fish fresh and edible for long periods, especially during the colder months when fishing was not possible. This technique was also a way to transport fish to inland areas, where access to fresh seafood was limited. Over time, salted fish became an essential ingredient in Italian cooking, and various regions developed their own unique recipes using this versatile ingredient.
The Traditional Method
Traditionally, salted fish was made by layering fish, typically cod, in a wooden barrel with layers of coarse sea salt. The salt would draw out the moisture from the fish, preserving it and giving it a distinct flavor. The fish would then be left to cure for several weeks before being washed and dried. This process not only preserved the fish but also gave it a unique texture and taste that is still appreciated in modern Italian cuisine.
The Recipe: Salted Cod Alla Livornese
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of salt cod
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 can of crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of pitted black olives
- 1/4 cup of capers, rinsed
- 1/4 cup of chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Soak the salt cod in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water every 6-8 hours.
2. Drain the cod and place it in a pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. In a separate pan, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, olives, and capers to the pan and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
6. In a baking dish, layer the cod and top it with the tomato mixture.
7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with your favorite side dish.
Conclusion
Italian salted fish is a versatile and delicious ingredient that has been a part of Italian cuisine for centuries. Whether you are using it in traditional recipes or experimenting with new flavors, salted fish will add a unique touch to your dishes. So why not try this classic salted cod recipe and experience the taste of Italy in your own kitchen? Buon Appetito!