Codfish Leftovers are a famous dish eaten on December 25th. After a full Christmas Eve dinner, the fish, cabbage, and potato leftovers are used to prepare a delightful recipe introducing meat.
Since this recipe made use of leftovers, it was routine for families with fewer resources and it is called Roupa Velha (old clothes) in Portuguese due to the way it looks and the way the food is set all mixed and cut into pieces.
It is typical of Minho, where it remains as the main course rather than just a starter on Christmas lunch.
Quantities may vary depending on the quantity of codfish that is left over from Christmas Eve dinner.
Braise the sliced onion, chopped garlic, some pork lard, a stroke of vinegar, cumin, and ground cloves.
Link them all together with a drizzle of olive oil and when the onions are brown add the cabbage, codfish, and mix it all together.
Cozinha Tradicional. (n.d.). Receita de Roupa Velha de Bacalhau (Minho). Acedido a 17 de Março de 2020.
Guedes, F. (2001). As 100 maneiras de cozinhar Bacalhau e outros peixes. Lisboa: Publicações Dom Quixote, p. 64
Modesto, M. de L. (1990). Cozinha Tradicional Portuguesa. Lisboa: Editorial Verbo, p. 16