Bacalao a la Vizcaina is a delicious Spanish-style salt cod dish from the Basque region of Spain, that’s popular in Mexico, Guatemala and throughout the rest of Latin America.

Bacalao a la Vizcaina is Spanish-style Salt Cod popular in Latin America

This traditional dish is especially popular for Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Semana Santa,  the week leading up to Easter Sunday in Guatemala, Mexico and the rest of Latin America.

It’s a Basque-stye dish that has its roots in northern Spain and is a must-eat during Lent when Guatemalans purchase the thin slabs of pescado seco (dried cod) in the mercados around Antigua and other towns in Guatemala. It’s also known as pescado a la vizcaina but whatever you choose to call it, it’s a delicious way to enjoy fresh or dried cod fish.

It’s one of the top dishes my mother-in-law in Guatemala makes before her pilgrimage to the shrine of the Black Christ at the Basilica in the town of Esquipulas Guatemala each Easter.

Basilica of Esquipulas Guatemala

Buying and Soaking Salt Cod for Bacalao a la Vizcaina

To be honest, the first time I made bacalao a la vizcaina, I didn’t start the process of soaking the salt cod early enough and the dish was  too salty. When I visited the fish market in Punta Delgada in the Azores, I learned that it’s best to begin the process four days in advance.

During the weeks leading up to Easter, it’s possible to purchase dried salt cod at Italian, Portuguese and even supermarkets across Toronto. In our neighbourhood, the best  source for salt cod is Maselli’s (906 Danforth Ave at Donlands TTC Station)  a family-owned Italian grocer in our neighbourhood.

Salt cod in the market in Ponta Delgada, Azores

The key is choosing salt cod is to purchase a piece of fish that isn’t too thin. You don’t want to buy only the tail. Instead, look for a middle piece of the filet.

This means you need to do your salt cod shopping early as the ideal sizes will disappear quickly and you may be left with filets of salt cod as large as yoga mats. While at the Italian grocer, pick up some green olives to add to your bacalao a la vizcaina.

Ingredients for Bacalao a la Vizcaina

Ingredients for Bacalao a la Vizcaina

How to Make Bacalao a la Vizcaina

Soak Salt Cod prior to using

After soaking the salt cod and draining it, dry it thoroughly, prepare the batter then dip each piece of salt cod in the batter and fry it until the batter is nicely browned. While it’s browning, dice the potatoes and cook them until soft but not mushy.

Once you’ve made the batter, use it for breading the salt cod immediately

Fry the battered salt cod until browned in vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

Pescado seco envuelto en huevo or salt cod in egg batter

Then prepare the tomato sauce.  It’s also possible to prepare the sauce for Bacalao a la Vizcaina in advance. If you’ve prepared it in advance, add it to a deep frying pan.

You can prepare the sauce for Bacalao a la Vizcaina in advance

Then, bring it to a low simmer when you’re ready to batter the fish. Once the tomato sauce is simmering, add the cooked potatoes, olives and salt cod in batter to the sauce.

Add potatoes to the salt cod and tomato sauce

Sprinkle the finished dish with chopped fresh parsley.

Bacalao a la Vizcaina is a Basque dish popular throughout Latin America

Serve Bacalao a la Vizcaina immediately so the batter doesn’t soak up too much of the sauce and get soggy.

Enjoy as part of a Christmas or New Year’s Eve Menu with ponche de frutas, a hot holiday fruit punch

Tips for Making Pescado Seco Envuelto en Huevo – Salt Cod in Batter

• This version of Bacalao a la Vizcaina features battered salt cod known as pescado seco envuelto en huevo.  There is another variation of Bacalao a la Vizcaina popular in Mexico, where the salt cod isn’t battered but is cooked in the sauce and shredded. Sign up for the A Taste for Travel newsletter to receive a copy of that recipe when posted.
• For best results, cut the salt cod into pieces about the size of the palm of your hand or smaller.
• The batter for pescado seco envuelto en huevo  for Bacalao a la Vizcaina is the same one used to make chile rellenos so it’s worth learning.
• Once you’ve made the batter, use it immediately. If you allow it to sit, it begins to separate and loses its volume.

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Bacalao a la Vizcaina - Spanish-style Salt Cod in Batter

Prep Time

2 hrs

Cook Time

45 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 45 mins

 

A battered salt cod dish popular at Easter in Spain, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador

Course: Main

Cuisine: Spanish

Keyword: Easter, salt cod, Spanish recipe

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 376 kcal

Author: Michele Peterson

Ingredients

• 1 large piece dried salt cod
• 2 eggs
• 4 Tablespoons white flour
• 1/8 teaspoon achiote
• 5 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 potatoes chopped into pieces and cooked until soft but not soggy
• 1/2 cup green pitted olives
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 raw onion chopped
• 1 clove peeled garlic
• 2 cups fresh Roma tomatoes peeled or use canned
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/8 tsp achiote
• 1/8 tsp thyme
• handful chopped parsley

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Begin soaking the whole piece of salt cod in water three days prior to the day you want to prepare the dish
2. Replace the water daily and be sure to cover the salt cod completely. I placed it in the refrigerator to soak
3. Puree the onion, garlic, tomato and water in a food processor until a fine consistency
4. Pour a tablespoon of oil into a large frying pan and add the tomato sauce, herbs and achiote.
5. Simmer the sauce while preparing and cooking the cod
6. Drain, rinse, pat dry and then cut the salt cod into pieces about 3 x 3 inches square. The sizes of the pieces will vary based on the shape of the fish
7. Sprinkle the fish with two tablespoons of flour and pepper
8. Separate egg whites and beat until stiff
9. Beat egg yolks until creamy
10. Combine egg whites, egg yolks, two tablespoons of flour, achiote and pepper, beating for a minute or two until batter is creamy
11. Heat five tablespoons of oil in a frying pan until it reaches a medium high temperature
12. Dip each piece of salt cod in batter and fry in oil until browned (3 minutes), then remove and allow it to drain on paper towels.
13. Repeat until all the fish is cooked. Try to work quickly so the batter doesn't begin to separate.
14. Place the fish in the tomato sauce and add the potatoes and olives
15. Cover and heat thoroughly at a medium temperature (5-10 minutes)
16. Sprinkle with parsley and serve

Recipe Notes

• You can speed up the soaking of the salt cod by using slightly warmer water.
• Once you've made the batter, use it immediately so it doesn't lose volume.
• The tomato sauce can be prepared in advance and reheated when you're ready to add the fish and olives. 

Nutrition Facts

Bacalao a la Vizcaina - Spanish-style Salt Cod in Batter

Amount Per Serving

Calories 376 Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 22g 34%

Saturated Fat 15g 75%

Cholesterol 82mg 27%

Sodium 335mg 14%

Potassium 1023mg 29%

Total Carbohydrates 37g 12%

Dietary Fiber 6g 24%

Sugars 2g

Protein 9g 18%

Vitamin A 8.9%

Vitamin C 37.3%

Calcium 9.4%

Iron 43.7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Although this dish is most popular at Easter, you can enjoy it any time of the year, especially during the Christmas season.

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