Why cod is honored on the anniversary of the Greek Revolution

Cod, which Greeks usually eat on March 25, is unaffordable for most consumers this year as prices have risen.

Price per kilogram in supermarkets:

“Real” Norwegian salted cod: 7.79–10.95 euros.
Salted cod fillet (μπακαλιάρος παστός): 7.35–7.69 euros.
Icelandic cod fillet: 13.95–14.20 euros.
Icelandic cod fillet, sliced: €10.59–€17.72.
Frozen cod fillet (lightly salted), import: 9.95 euros.
Frozen cod slices: 4.35–5.95 euros/kg.
Fresh cod (Greek): 19–22 euros.

Have you ever wondered why cod honored on the anniversary of the Greek Revolution? The truth is that this phenomenon has already been given many interpretations. One theory is that the Greeks used cod as food during the 1821 Revolution because it was an easily available and cheap product that they could easily prepare wherever they were.

It should be noted that Cod first appeared during the Viking Age, having been a commercial product since 800 AD. Then the Basques also began their trade in the Middle Ages, and by salting fish they were able to preserve it for a long time, which was necessary for their travels. Cod appeared in Greece in the 15th century.

According to another theory, the custom of consuming cod with garlic puree (έθιμο του μπακαλιάρου με την σκορδαλιά) is directly related to Lent. The Church allows the consumption of fish only twice: on the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and on Palm Sunday. Cod, according to the canon of the Orthodox Church, is considered “clean”. In addition, preparing skordalia (garlic puree) without oil makes it suitable for fasting.

With the exception of the islands, where fresh fish was never a luxury, in the rest of Greece salted cod was a simple solution in those days, so it became a tradition and therefore became the national food on March 25th.

How to cook a great dish from salted cod (μπακαλιάρος παστός):