[senior citizen]

Anthony Bourdain just had a repeat show of his visit to Sicily......Palermo & Catania.

Sicily is known for their seafood......as well as the movie, "The Godfather". My dad had family members who married into families from Sicily.......so I do remember baccala.


Indeed, with all of the FISH featured on his segment, it reminded me of my Italian father's favorite Baccala......which is salted cod fish. I also enjoyed it while growing up, but have not had it in quite some time.


Searching for a recipe from the past.........I found these two, plus similar versions of my Aunt Anna's, Aunt Mary's, Aunt Philomena's & Aunt Rose's.......they did love their baccala. I wonder if anyone still attempts to make these dishes? My recipe cards are old & tattered.


BACCALA SALAD


2 or 3 pounds of dried baccalà


2 or more cloves of garlic, minced


Half of a cup of chopped Italian parsley


1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil


1/4 cup cured black olives, pitted


1 lemon quartered


Soak baccalà in cold water for three days changing the water at least twice a day.


When it is softened, boil it or steam it till it is cooked and flakes easily. Let it cool.


Get a nice decorative bowl and break up the baccalà into pieces (bite size or bigger).


Toss in the garlic and the chopped italian parsley.


Add the olive oil and mix well. Add Salt and Pepper only if needed or wanted.


Add the black olives and mix gently.


Place quartered pieces of lemon around the bowl.


Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy! Serves 4-6 people.


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BACCALA SALAD * FAMILY VERSION 2


4 pounds baccalà dried


Assorted olives (oil cured, green & calamata)


Vinegar peppers right from the jar


4 or 5 garlic cloves chopped


1 1/2 cups olive oil or more


Sharp provolone cut into chunks


Oregano


Basil


Soak baccalà for 3 or 4 days, keep dumping the water out.


Boil till it's flaky. Let it cool and break it up.


Put it in a rectangle corning ware dish with the cover.


Chop up the garlic, cut the peppers into bite size pieces, cut the cheese into small chunks and put it in the dish with the fish.


Pour the olive oil over the whole thing.


Add your spices & olives.


Make this the day before so everything marinates.


The next day you must stir it again and add a little more oil. This is not low cal but Christmas Eve comes only once a year. With this you can have all the other of the 7 fish.


It's great cold. Enjoy! Serves 8-10.