Explore Guides
Local food map
Venice (Italy)
Hotels in area
Starter
Fish & Seafood
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
390kcal
30gProtein
25gCarbs
22gFat
1gFibre
200 gServing
* Per serving · 200 g. May vary.
Allergens
🐟 Fish
🌾 Gluten
Baccala' Mantecato
How to order / say it
Say it
Baccala' Mantecato — [bahk-KAH-lah man-teh-KAH-toh]
Order
I'd like the baccala' mantecato, please.
Locally
Vorrei il baccalà mantecato, per favore.
Say locally
Creamy whipped salt cod served on grilled bread.
Why try it?
This dish showcases the ingenuity of using preserved fish to create something luxurious, emblematic of Venice's storied relationship with the sea and its resources.
How it tastes
The dish is smooth and creamy with a delicate fish flavor, enhanced by garlic and olive oil. The richness is balanced by the slight char of the toasted bread.
Origin & History — first documented: 1500
Originating in the 15th century as a way to preserve fish during long sea voyages, Baccala' Mantecato uses air-dried cod and slowly incorporates olive oil to achieve its creamy texture.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🐟 300 g salt cod
- 🫒 100 ml olive oil
- 🧄 2 cloves garlic
- 🌿 1 bay leaf
- 🍋 1 lemon
- 🌾 1 baguette
Method
- 1 Soak salt cod in water for 24 hours, changing water frequently.
- 2 Boil cod with bay leaf and garlic until tender.
- 3 Whip cooked cod with olive oil until creamy, adjust seasoning.
- 4 Serve spread on grilled slices of baguette, garnish with lemon zest.
More from Venice
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Venetian Risotto
Risotto al Nero di Seppia
ree-SOT-toh ahl NEH-ro dee SEH-pee-ah
Risotto cooked with squid ink, providing a distinct black color and rich flavor
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Venetian Cuttlefish Stew
Seppie in Umido
SEP-pee-eh een OO-mee-doh
A savory stew with cuttlefish, tomatoes, and peas, often enjoyed over polenta.
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Venetian-Style Octopus
Polpo alla Veneziana
POHL-poh ah-lah veh-neh-tzee-AH-nah
Tender octopus served with potatoes, seasoned with lemon.
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Venetian-Style Soft-Shell Crabs
Moeche Fritte
MOH-eh-keh FREE-tteh
Deep-fried soft-shell crabs, a Venetian delicacy.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Venetian Sweet and Sour Duck
Anatra all'Arancia
A-nah-trah all-lah RAHN-chah
Roasted duck with a sweet and sour orange sauce.
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Venetian-style Fried Fish
Fritto Misto alla Veneziana
FREE-toh MEES-toh ah-lah veh-neh-tsyah-nah
A medley of mixed fried seafood including fish, shrimp, and calamari.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Venetian Risotto with Peas
Risi e Bisi
REE-zee eh BEE-see
A creamy risotto cooked with fresh peas and pancetta.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Venetian Cuttlefish in Black Ink
Seppie al Nero
SEP-peeh ahl NEH-ro
Cuttlefish cooked in its own ink with garlic, onions, and tomatoes.
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Venetian Bigoli in Salsa
Bigoli in Salsa
BEE-go-lee een SAHL-sah
Thick spaghetti-like pasta served with an anchovy-onion sauce.
© Wikimedia Commons
Starter
Fish & Seafood
Sardine in Saor
Sarde in Saor
SAHR-deh een SAH-or
Venetian sweet and sour sardines with onions and raisins.