ABOUT THIS BOOK

From Viking fisheries to Portuguese bacalao and beyond, a delectable and informative journey through cod fact, cuisine, and lore.

This is the first culinary history of a truly remarkable fish. Elisabeth Townsend follows cod around the globe, showing how its pursuit began with the Vikings, and exploring its influence on human affairs ever since. The book looks at the different ways cod has been caught, cooked, and eaten, often by the descendants of explorers, enslaved people, and traders. Cod examines the fish in the myths and legends of the North Atlantic, the West Indies, South America, West and Southeast Africa, and across the Indian Ocean to the Far East. It is a fascinating journey through cod fact and lore and features delectable historical and contemporary recipes that showcase the myriad ways cod can be consumed.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Elisabeth Townsend has been writing about food, travel, and wine for over twenty years. Her first book was Lobster: A Global History, also published by Reaktion Books. She lives in Concord, MA.

REVIEWS

“Through a human lens, Townsend puts focus on this iconic fish, which has shaped our history, fed societies, and fueled economies for centuries. Richly illustrated, well-researched—no one has told the story better.”

— George A. Rose, honorary professor, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia

“Cod is an engaging celebration of the history, ecology, and deliciousness of an extraordinary fish that has sustained people worldwide for centuries, and a heartfelt plea for its future survival.”

— Darra Goldstein, founding editor of "Gastronomica" and author of "Beyond the North Wind"

"Townsend tells the important story of this fish and surprises constantly with fascinating stories of its centrality to the progress of world history. She appends with recipes both ancient and contemporary, from Jamaican ackee and saltfish to French haute cuisine. Carefully chosen illustrations and photographs enhance the text."

— Booklist

"Townsend looks at where cod have been and where they might be headed in the 21st century, as a species and a foodstuff."

— Lection

“A pleasing, informative and thorough little book.”

— Culinary Historians of Canada

"There's a charm to a small book, and Elizabeth Townsend brings a masterful concision to Cod."

— The Art of Eating

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

1. What Is a Cod?

2. Cod Fuelled the Age of Discovery, 500–1500

3. Cod Wars and the Expansion of Fishing, 1500–1976

4. Trade Carries Cod Across the Globe, 1400–1970

5. Sustainability in the Twenty-First Century

6. Preserving, Buying and Preparing Cod

Recipes

Select Bibliography

Websites and Associations

Acknowledgements

Photo Acknowledgements

Index

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