How to Desalt Cod

Name: How to Desalt Cod
Prep time: PTM
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Codfish 1.3 lbs

it de fr es br

239

Calories per serving

Gluten Free
Lactose Free

Energy Kcal 239
Protein g 54
Fats g 2.5
of which saturated fat g 0.48
Cholesterol mg 125
Sodium mg 5113

Difficulty: Very easy
Serving: 4
Note the soaking time (about 72 hours) may vary depending on the size of the cod chosen

PRESENTATION

Baccalà, you know, is a big deal in Italy. It's got this really rich history that's kinda fascinating. People often mix up baccalà, stoccafisso, and merluzzo, but truthfully, it's all about the preservation. So, baccalà is cod that's been salted for weeks—really really salty—which gives it that firm texture and deep flavor. On the other hand, stoccafisso is just dried cod, and merluzzo is your fresh stuff.

The technique, believe it or not, came from the Basques back in the 8th or 9th century. They used to fish cod from those icy waters near Canada. And then? They'd salt it a ton and send it to Europe. This way, the fish could travel far and stay good for, like, ages. Back then, it was a lifesaver for folks needing to stretch their food. Nowadays, though, it's not just for lean times—it pops up in some pretty fancy places.

So here's the deal: if you want that classic Italian flavor, knowing how to soak salt cod is a must. Otherwise, you end up with something tough and way too salty instead of tender and perfect. Seriously, the process to desalt baccalà is pretty simple but needs patience. You just soak the fish in cold water for a couple of days—changing the water regularly. This gentle soaking rehydrates the cod and gets rid of any briny edge.

In regions like the Veneto or Liguria, there are tons of recipes where the fish is the star—baked, stewed, or even fried until it's golden. And look, understanding how to desalinate baccalà really opens doors, whether you’re aiming for a rustic stew or something a bit more classy. After a good soak, pair it with tomato-based sauces or creamy mashed potatoes. Taking time with the rehydrate salt cod step lets you savor those Italian flavors, just as folks have for centuries. It’s a tradition that connects you with the past and adds something special to your cooking today. Honestly, cannot go wrong with it.

How to Desalt Cod

To desalt the cod fillet 1, place it under a stream of cold water to remove the excess salt 2; then cut it into pieces 3. If you prefer, you can also opt to keep the fish fillet whole: in this case, the desalting times will need to be extended.

Place the cod in a large bowl (if you prefer, laid on a colander) and cover it entirely with cold water 4: the water will help dissolve the salt and swell the fibers. This operation allows you to hydrate and soften the cod flesh that has dried out due to the preservation process. For this operation, we used a glass bowl, but if you prefer, you can use a plastic one or any material that is not attacked by salt. It would be preferable to leave the cod in the sink so that a trickle of running water can flow into the bowl continuously, ensuring continuous recycling. Cover the bowl with transparent food wrap 5 and place it in the refrigerator in the less cold part or in any case in a cool place, away from sources of light and heat. After 8 hours of soaking, remove the wrap 6.

Rinse the cod again under cold water 7 and place it again in the clean bowl with fresh water 8. Cover with transparent food wrap 9 and always keep it in a cool place away from sources of light and heat or in the refrigerator in the less cold part. Repeat the operation every 8 hours (or at least 3 times a day) for 3 days. The indications on the time needed to soak the cod to desalt it can vary depending on the size and thickness of the fillets. If the piece of cod exceeds 2 lbs or if inquiring at your trusted fish market you know that the cod has been under salt for a long time, you can soak it for 3-4 days by changing the water more often. After the soaking time, drain your cod, which will now be desalted and ready to be used in your preparations!

Storage

You can freeze the desalted cod.

Advice

There is no empirical method to desalt cod; there are various methods and timings for changing the water, such as whether or not to remove the skin after the first 24 hours of soaking.

It is advisable, in any case, not to leave the cod in water for too many days to avoid overly softening the flesh.

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