Cuban-style Vizcaina Codfish served with potatoes, red peppers, and fresh parsley.

 

Cuban-Style Vizcaina Codfish

A signature dish on our tables, rich in intense aromas and a blend of flavors that make it a special preparation. Although it has Iberian roots, this Cuban-style version preserves the classic essence while incorporating elements typical of our cuisine.

🥘 Required Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless codfish (previously desalted)
  • 1 pound potatoes
  • 1 large red onion
  • 1 large green bell pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2/3 cup white wine or dry wine
  • 1/3 cup green olives
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • 2 ripe tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 small can of red peppers
  • Pepper and salt to taste
  • A few sprigs of fresh parsley

 

 

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Desalt and prepare the codfish

Replace the soaking water, place the codfish in a pot with clean water, and boil it for a few minutes to soften it. Then drain it, allow it to cool slightly, and separate it into large flakes.

2. Cook the potatoes

Peel and cut the potatoes. Use the same water where the codfish was boiled and cook them over low heat until tender without falling apart. Drain the liquid and spread the potatoes across the bottom of the pot. Reserve a bit of this water in another container.

3. Prepare the sofrito

Cut the bell pepper into strips, the onion into half-moons, and the garlic into thin slices. Dice the tomatoes. Sauté everything in the olive oil, add bay leaves, half of the red peppers, and a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity. Cook for about 10 minutes.

4. Combine the codfish

Place the codfish over the potatoes and sprinkle with pepper. Pour the sofrito on top and add the olives, wine, and vinegar. If more liquid is needed, add a little of the reserved water. Adjust the salt if necessary.

5. Finish cooking

Place the pot over medium heat, cover, and let everything cook slowly for 10 minutes so the flavors blend well. Finish by decorating with the remaining red peppers and fresh parsley.

ℹ️ Useful Recipe Information

  • Servings: 8
  • Total time: 12 hours (desalting) + 45 minutes (prep and cooking)
  • Category: Fish & Seafood
  • Cuisine: Cuban

✅ Tips and Suggestions

  • Desalt the codfish with enough time to achieve the ideal taste.
  • Using olive oil enhances the final flavor of the dish.
  • Serve this dish with white rice and fried yuca, and you’ll have a true delight.

📌 Suggested Tags

vizcaina codfish, Cuban cuisine, traditional seafood dishes, homemade recipes, Creole dishes

📣 Have you tried it?

Tell me how your Cuban-style Vizcaina Codfish turned out. If you liked it, share it and check out more authentic Cuban recipes on the blog.

For the Spanish version, visit: Bacalao a la Vizcaína al Estilo Cubano: Un Clásico de la Cocina Tradicional.