Codfish Soup (Zuppa di Merluzzo)

Ingredients

• 0.5 pound Salt codfish, soaked (Soaked to remove excess salt)
• 4 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 Small onion (Finely chopped)
• 1 small bunch Parsley stems
• 1 small piece Celery
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 small sprig Thyme
• 2 Tomatoes (Skinned, seeded, and sliced)
• 2 tablespoons Dry white wine
• 1 Medium-sized potato (Peeled and sliced)
• 1 cup Water
• 0.5 tablespoon Chopped parsley
• 1 pinch Pepper (To taste)
• 1 pinch Salt (To taste)
• 4 slices Bread (Toasted or fried)

Instructions

1. 1Cut the soaked salt codfish into squares, about 1-inch in size.
2. 2In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over low heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes, being careful not to brown it. Add the parsley stems, celery, bay leaf, and thyme. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. 3Add the sliced tomatoes, dry white wine, sliced potato, and water to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer.
4. 4Simmer until the potato is half cooked, about 10 minutes. Add the codfish and the remaining olive oil.
5. 5Remove the parsley stems. Add the chopped parsley, pepper, and salt to taste. Continue to simmer until the vegetables are thoroughly cooked, about 5 minutes.
6. 6Pour the soup over pieces of toasted or fried bread and serve immediately.