Cod and speck bites

/5

PRESENTATION

You know, there's something about bringing a taste of Northern Italy to your table with these cod bites wrapped in speck. Seriously good stuff. Hailing from the Trentino-Alto Adige region, this dish shows off the perfect balance between the tender cod and the salty, smoky speck. And the herbs? They add such a special touch—so, so flavorful. Italians, they love serving these as an antipasto during gatherings, and for real, it's easy to see why.

The crispy exterior—achieved through a quick bake—perfectly complements the mild, slightly sweet flavor of the fish. Pretty simple, really. And here's the thing, you can prepare these bites ahead of time and just chill them, making them perfect for stress-free entertaining.

In Italian tradition, sharing food is key, and a platter of these cod bites just vanishes. Which is great. These speck-wrapped cod bites are a hit with friends, especially when paired with sauces. Offer options like a tangy yogurt sauce, a zesty green sauce, or even simple mayonnaise. Each bite really pops.

The salty contrast from the speck with the moist fish inside? Comforting yet unexpected. In Trentino-Alto Adige, it's common to make a huge batch since these cod and bacon recipes disappear at any party. The relaxed nature of this dish encourages guests to reach in, grab a piece, and enjoy lively conversations. For sure.

These cod appetizers are just as satisfying cold as they are warm, so you can totally prepare them in advance. Each bite gives you a great mix of herby, golden breading, soft fish, and a hint of smoky speck—making these a favorite for both casual family nights and larger gatherings.

This dish? It really captures the spirit of Italian hospitality, where food brings people together in the most delicious way possible.

INGREDIENTS

Cod fillet 10.6 oz (300 g)
Speck 3.5 oz (100 g) - sliced
Bread ½ cup (30 g) - crumbs
Rosemary 1 sprig
Parsley 1 tuft
Chives to taste
Lemon peel 1
Fine salt 1 pinch
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
to accompany
Mayonnaise 4 spoonfuls
Preparation

How to prepare Cod and speck bites

To prepare the cod and speck bites, first prepare the chopped aromatic herbs 1 and mix them in a bowl with the crumbled bread crumbs 2. Then add the grated lemon zest 3 and mix everything together.

Take the cod fillets and cut them first into strips 4 and then into cubes, not too small 5. Pour a drizzle of oil into a pan, heat it, and add the cod 6. Let it brown on both sides for a total of 5 minutes, turning them gently.

Finally, salt 7 and transfer to a plate 8. Then coat the cod cubes in the breading 9

to cover them completely 10. Lay the slices of speck on a cutting board and place each bite at the beginning of one of the slices 11. Roll up to get a roll 12.

Do the same for the others 13 and place them in a baking dish 14. Bake in a preheated static oven at 356°F for 10 minutes. Then take them out of the oven 15 and let them cool.

Arrange some lettuce leaves and a small bowl on a plate, then transfer the bites as well 16 and fill the small bowl with mayonnaise 17. Your cod and speck bites are ready to serve 18!

Storage

Cod and speck bites can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days, well covered.

Tip

The cod can be replaced with monkfish or hake.
The chopped bread crumbs can be replaced with breadcrumbs.
It is possible to accompany with toothpicks, making it easier to pick up the bites and dip them in mayonnaise.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.