We are the second largest consumer country in the world after Portugal. There is no region that does not have its traditional recipe. In Lombardy and Piedmont it is cooked in batter or stewed; in Liguria it is cooked in batter, or green or sweet and sour or creamed, with polenta croutons; in Tuscany the “Livornese” one is known, soaked in flour and fried in olive oil, then dipped in a sauce with onions and peeled tomatoes; in Basilicata, it is prepared with dried sweet red peppers; in Calabria it is cooked with potatoes, black olives, peppers, tomato sauce, bay leaf. In Veneto he is a triumph of the table, creamed, Vicenza-style and in red, they dedicate a Festival in Venice and parties in various cities to him. In Molise cuisine it is "arracanato" with breadcrumbs, walnuts, raisins, black olives, cherry tomatoes and garlic.
In Sicily it is treated with tomatoes, potatoes, black olives, pine nuts and raisins. In Rome, battered and fried, together with courgette flowers, supplì, artichoke alla giudia is the first example of street food: Roman-style mixed fry, once eaten at Christmas and Easter, now on menus throughout the year.
At this point it is clear who we are talking about: his majesty the cod.
So much history could not go unnoticed and now even Rome is dedicating a party to him. In one of the oldest and most authentic neighborhoods and now also the trendiest of the capital, where some of the films that have made the history of Italian cinema were set, such as Pasolini's Una vita violenta, Luciano Emmer's Girls from the Spanish Steps, Caro Diario and Bianca di Moretti, some films from the Fantozzi series, the first edition of Roma Baccalà will take place, an event in which, in addition to tasting dishes strictly based on cod, there will be opportunities for reflection on the history and international character of this ingredient. For the occasion, the artistic director Francesca Rocchi has developed a rich program of meetings and workshops on the theme of cod.
It starts on Thursday 10 September at 19.00 with the talk show "Baccalà international", which will be attended by the institutional representatives of the countries where the tradition of cod is strongest, such as Portugal and Norway. The other talk shows and insights and workshops will also explore cod in the history of Italian regional cuisine, including recipes from the Roman and Judeo-Roman tradition. Rome Baccalà thus presents itself as a great event: "An incredible opportunity to put extraordinary experiences into synergy with the social and economic fabric of our neighborhoods" specifies Amedeo Ciaccheri, President of the Rome VIII Municipality.
Friday 11 September at 20.00, Eataly goes beyond the confines of the store to be present in Piazza Sauli with its laboratory "Eataly loves fried fish... (and of course cod!)" to bring the flavors of Tyrrhenian fish to the neighbourhood, according to the inspiration of the executive chef of Eataly Rome Roberto Cutugno and of Nando Fiorentini, manager of the fishmongers of Eataly.
Those who will participate in the event on the streets of Garbatella will receive a voucher to taste a glass of craft beer at the Festival on the Third Floor of Eataly. Conversely, those who go to Eataly during the days of the event can go to Rome Baccalà with a ticket to sip a good beer for free.
