Cod is the fish of fish<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA symbol of wealth and prosperity. Abundance and scarcity. Ecology and business. Food and culture. Reality and legend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How can a fish that does not exist in the Portuguese sea become a Gastronomy icon and a symbol of national identity? The answer lies in History.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIf it is true that the consumption of codfish in Portugal began to become widespread in the 16th<\/sup> century, the first contact with this fish dates back to ancient times. The codfish arrived in the Iberian Peninsula through the Vikings, who exchanged this fish for salt. <\/p>\n\n\n\nLater, with the discoveries, the Portuguese were pioneers in setting up fishing boats to fish in the designated Newfoundland of the codfish. From then on, fishing became a long-haul economic activity, not only for the Portuguese, but also for Spaniards and French, among others, in Newfoundland and Labrador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the 50s and 60s of the last century, thanks to the impulse of the Estado Novo, codfish fishing had reached its peak. The fleets of codfish fishing boats guaranteed 70% of national codfish consumption, helping to make the Portuguese the world’s largest consumers of this fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the codfish became the “Loyal Friend<\/strong>“, symbol of culture and Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-obacalhau-simbolo-1-800x552.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-obacalhau-simbolo-2-800x554.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe faithful friend<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/FielAmigo_EN.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nNATIONAL SYMBOL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe religious practices widely spread in Portugal were decisive in the process that established codfish as the greatest symbol of Portuguese culture. Abstaining from eating meat at predetermined times led the Portuguese to seek other alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In times when it was difficult to eat fresh fish, cod was the solution for every sector of the population. From the richest to the least wealthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Portugal is considered the world’s largest consumer of salted codfish: 62,000 tonnes per year, according to the Association of Cod Industries (AIB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The expression \u201cfaithful friend\u201d has been documented for more than 200 years in popular literature.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cJudas’ torments\u201d, popular prayers said in public and in the rituals of the burning of Judas on the Holy Saturday, celebrated the end of the \u201clean days\u201d associated with Lent and made codfish the target of popular satire as the \u201cfaithful friend\u201d was buried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fuzzy origins of the parable of the \u201cfaithful friend\u201d are rooted in this widespread consumption of codfish and, above all, in its affordability and ease of conservation, as well as in the protection it provides for stomachs and souls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(\u00c1lvaro Garrido, historian).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\nMaritime museum of \u00cdlhavo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-obacalhau-simbolo-4.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Maritime Museum of \u00cdlhavo (MMI) was founded on 8 August 1937. Its mission is to preserve the memory of the work at sea, promoting the culture and maritime identity of the Portuguese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/museumaritimo.cm-ilhavo.pt\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nSanto Andr\u00e9 ship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-obacalhau-simbolo-5.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Santo Andr\u00e9 museum ship is a hub of the Maritime Museum of \u00cdlhavo. It was part of the Portuguese cod-fishing fleet and intended to illustrate the trawling gear. This side trawling (or \u201cclassic trawling\u201d) was created in 1948, in Holland, by orders of the Fishing Company of Aveiro. It was a modern vessel, 71.40 metres long, with a hold for 20,000 quintals of fish (1,200 tons).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/museumaritimo.cm-ilhavo.pt\/pages\/33<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nGil Eanes hospital ships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-obacalhau-simbolo-6.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt operated as a support vessel for the cod-fishing fleet between 1955 and 1973. It was converted into a museum in 1998, in Viana do Castelo, where it is today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.fundacaogileannes.pt\/engine.php?cat=1<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSpecial dates and codfish<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCodfish and christmas <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe tradition of eating codfish on Christmas Eve is deeply rooted in Portugal, as well as in the communities where Portuguese culture is present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the centuries, the Christian influence has dictated the rule of fasting and penance in the preparation of religious holidays, such as Christmas, leading people to abstain from eating food considered more noble, such as meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Christmas Eve, just before the midnight Christmas celebration, codfish became the meal par excellence<\/a>, since it was available to the entire population in the middle of winter. All the social strata had access to the \u201cfaithful friend\u201d, which thus established itself as a gastronomic icon of Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Bacalhau](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/RIBERALVES_Miguel_Laffan_12.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/receitas_natal_600x730_01.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/receitas_natal_600x730_02.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/PRATOS_600X730px_02.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nCodfish and easter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nJust like at Christmas, codfish became a reference meal in Easter celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same religious heritage of fasting and penance associated with Lent (particularly on very significant days such as Good Friday) has made codfish a preferential option over meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it is true that the consumption of codfish in Portugal began to become widespread in the 16th<\/sup> century, the first contact with this fish dates back to ancient times. The codfish arrived in the Iberian Peninsula through the Vikings, who exchanged this fish for salt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Later, with the discoveries, the Portuguese were pioneers in setting up fishing boats to fish in the designated Newfoundland of the codfish. From then on, fishing became a long-haul economic activity, not only for the Portuguese, but also for Spaniards and French, among others, in Newfoundland and Labrador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the 50s and 60s of the last century, thanks to the impulse of the Estado Novo, codfish fishing had reached its peak. The fleets of codfish fishing boats guaranteed 70% of national codfish consumption, helping to make the Portuguese the world’s largest consumers of this fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the codfish became the “Loyal Friend<\/strong>“, symbol of culture and Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n NATIONAL SYMBOL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The religious practices widely spread in Portugal were decisive in the process that established codfish as the greatest symbol of Portuguese culture. Abstaining from eating meat at predetermined times led the Portuguese to seek other alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In times when it was difficult to eat fresh fish, cod was the solution for every sector of the population. From the richest to the least wealthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Portugal is considered the world’s largest consumer of salted codfish: 62,000 tonnes per year, according to the Association of Cod Industries (AIB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The expression \u201cfaithful friend\u201d has been documented for more than 200 years in popular literature.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJudas’ torments\u201d, popular prayers said in public and in the rituals of the burning of Judas on the Holy Saturday, celebrated the end of the \u201clean days\u201d associated with Lent and made codfish the target of popular satire as the \u201cfaithful friend\u201d was buried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fuzzy origins of the parable of the \u201cfaithful friend\u201d are rooted in this widespread consumption of codfish and, above all, in its affordability and ease of conservation, as well as in the protection it provides for stomachs and souls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (\u00c1lvaro Garrido, historian).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Maritime Museum of \u00cdlhavo (MMI) was founded on 8 August 1937. Its mission is to preserve the memory of the work at sea, promoting the culture and maritime identity of the Portuguese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/museumaritimo.cm-ilhavo.pt\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The Santo Andr\u00e9 museum ship is a hub of the Maritime Museum of \u00cdlhavo. It was part of the Portuguese cod-fishing fleet and intended to illustrate the trawling gear. This side trawling (or \u201cclassic trawling\u201d) was created in 1948, in Holland, by orders of the Fishing Company of Aveiro. It was a modern vessel, 71.40 metres long, with a hold for 20,000 quintals of fish (1,200 tons).<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/museumaritimo.cm-ilhavo.pt\/pages\/33<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n It operated as a support vessel for the cod-fishing fleet between 1955 and 1973. It was converted into a museum in 1998, in Viana do Castelo, where it is today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.fundacaogileannes.pt\/engine.php?cat=1<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The tradition of eating codfish on Christmas Eve is deeply rooted in Portugal, as well as in the communities where Portuguese culture is present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like at Christmas, codfish became a reference meal in Easter celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe faithful friend<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nMaritime museum of \u00cdlhavo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSanto Andr\u00e9 ship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGil Eanes hospital ships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSpecial dates and codfish<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Codfish and christmas <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Over the centuries, the Christian influence has dictated the rule of fasting and penance in the preparation of religious holidays, such as Christmas, leading people to abstain from eating food considered more noble, such as meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Christmas Eve, just before the midnight Christmas celebration, codfish became the meal par excellence<\/a>, since it was available to the entire population in the middle of winter. All the social strata had access to the \u201cfaithful friend\u201d, which thus established itself as a gastronomic icon of Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nCodfish and easter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The same religious heritage of fasting and penance associated with Lent (particularly on very significant days such as Good Friday) has made codfish a preferential option over meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Bacalhau_Pesto_Pinhoes_Legumes_Assados_SITE.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/_riberalves\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/BacGomesSa1_SITE_600X730px.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/riberalves.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Bacalhau-por-RegiaOoaa\u2560eo_EN-01.png\")
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