Fregola with Salt Cod

Fregola with salt cod is a dish that brings together the flavors of Sardinia with the traditions associated with salt cod. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 300 g of Sardinian fregola
• 200 g of soaked and desalted salt cod
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 small onion
• 400 ml of fish broth
• 200 g of cherry tomatoes
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. First, make sure the salt cod is well desalted: it should have been soaked in water for at least 48 hours, changing the water every 8 hours. If the salt cod is ready, drain it and dry it, then cut it into pieces.

2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the crushed garlic clove and finely chopped onion. Sauté until they become transparent.

3. Add the diced salt cod to the skillet and lightly brown it on all sides.

4. Meanwhile, cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to the skillet. Cook for about a couple of minutes.

5. Now add the fregola and stir well to lightly toast it with the sauce.

6. Pour in the hot fish broth little by little, like making risotto, allowing the fregola to absorb it before adding more broth. This process should take about 15-20 minutes, or until the fregola is cooked but still slightly al dente.

7. When the fregola is almost ready, adjust with salt and pepper and add the chopped fresh parsley. Stir well and let it flavor for another minute.

8. Turn off the heat and let the dish rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Curiosity

Fregola is a type of pasta typical of Sardinia, similar to couscous but larger and toasted, which is often cooked in broth or with various types of sauces. The combination with salt cod is an innovative idea that blends sea flavors with Sardinian culinary tradition.