Portuguese Baked Salt-Cod

Portugal’s Christmas Eve fasting supper is a dish that not only had the merit of complying with the requirements of the church, but also provided the first taste of an eagerly awaited seasonal delicacy. Portugal—a nation of skilled seamen responsible for the first circumnavigations of the globe—has been the center of the salt-fish trade since Roman times. The traditional Portuguese olive oil that gives the dish character is something of an acquired taste, since it’s made from slightly ferme