Cod liver, the snack that's making a comeback in cans (and that nutritionists recommend as an occasional treat)

Canned cod liver is found alongside cans of sardines, mussels, and cockles. The Catalan brand Dani, based in Vilassar de Mar, sells it for €2.80 and is one of the companies that produces it. Company representatives explained to me that sales of this product "have grown significantly" in recent years, even though "cockles remain the undisputed queen, followed by mussels." In fact, they decided to produce it because they saw a market opportunity to offer "a high-quality product with a very strong gastronomic identity." They further explained that, to prepare it, "they use exclusively North Atlantic cod, scientifically known as cod."Gadus morhua", and that it is "the quintessential species, the most appreciated in the world of gastronomy and the one that offers the best organoleptic and nutritional characteristics."

Cod liver connects us with the gastronomic tradition of the northern European regions, where sun exposure is limited. Cod is a vitamin D powerhouse; for decades it was a staple food. It features prominently in recipes and in those of the Basque Country, where cod also excels in cod cuisine.

We return to vitamin D. As we are a country with many sunny days, we might think that we don't need to eat foods that provide this vitamin to the body, but it turns out that this is not the case, according to nutritional statistics. Therefore, we cannot underestimate it, and if cod liver provides this vitamin, we could add it to our diet. (It is a form of vitamin A), and if consumed often, the intake limits recommended by organizations such as can easily be exceeded. The European Food Safety Authority. Frequent intake of vitamin A is linked to bone disorders, headaches, liver toxicity, or even an increased risk of fractures. It contains nutrients, beyond vitamin D and retinol, such as omega-3, which are connected to good cardiovascular and neurological health, but it doesn't provide more than sardines, mackerel, or herring. We can occasionally enjoy it as an appetizer for a special occasion, perhaps alongside cockles and mussels, which reign supreme in the canned seafood market, so they say.