Swiss Chard with Cod

Swiss Chard with Cod

(Inspired by “Swiss Chard with Cod,” p. 216, Cornfields to Codfish)

The essay of the same name sums up what this panful of joy means to me. Here’s the link to where I found a wonderful version of Swiss Chard with Cod.

Layers of joy . . .

“The tomatoes waltz with the onions and fennel, uncovered, for ten minutes. Great harmony rises in the steam. Popping bubbles make me think of a web of people…” (p. 218, Cornfields to Codfish)

“. . . And then, on the very top, those ingredients newest to my repertoire: fresh cod from the Atlantic and Swiss chard from my CSA. Local ocean, meet local farm. The cod waits patiently covered with a squeeze of lemon juice. Finally, the buzz of a ten-minute timer. Cod nestles on top of potatoes . . .” (p. 218, Cornfields to Codfish)

“ . . . and an enormous bunch of chopped chard fills the pot to the top. Lid on for ten more minutes. Then the layers come out in reverse order. A plop of chard on each plate; a flaky, moist piece of cod next to the chard; then potatoes fished out of the sauce complete the trio . . . “ (p. 218, Cornfields to Codfish)