Bacalhau com Natas
Lisbon, Portugal
This comforting baked casserole combines shredded salted cod with sliced potatoes and onions in a rich, creamy béchamel sauce. The dish is topped with cheese or breadcrumbs and baked until it achieves a golden, bubbling crust.
Why locals eat it
Although its exact 20th-century origins are often debated, it is widely considered a modern classic of Portuguese home cooking. It showcases the local ingenuity in transforming salted cod into a rich, celebratory casserole.
Local tip
This dish is exceptionally rich, so consider ordering a simple side salad with an acidic vinaigrette to balance the creaminess.
Typically made with
salted cod, potatoes, onions, heavy cream, béchamel sauce, garlic, cheese. Recipes vary — always check with the vendor if you have allergies.