
Scordolea (Dried Fish with Garlic Mashed Potatoes)
Scordolea is a traditional dish from the Danube Delta and Dobrogea, cooked by fishermen for centuries. It is made from boiled dried fish — typically carp or pike — layered between two generous portions of yellow potato mash prepared with fish broth and raw garlic sauce. The result resembles a moussaka, but without meat or oven — rustic, humble, and intensely flavored, faithfully reflecting the fishing cuisine of the Delta.
Servings
4
Prep
20 min (plus 8–12 ore desărare)
Cook
50 min
Total
1 h 10 min (excluding desalting)
🥘Ingredients
servings
Main ingredients
Optional aromatics
For serving
✅Dietary Compatibility
Yield
approx. 4 servings
📦Storage
Refrigerator
Up to 2 days in a sealed container; reheat over steam or with a little fish broth to restore creaminess
Freezer
Not recommended — mashed potatoes and boiled fish change texture when frozen
🥗Nutrition Facts
Values per serving (approx. 350g)
Calories
240 kcal
Protein
18 g
Fat
11 g
Carbohydrates
18 g
Fiber
2 g
🍷Pairs Well With
💡Variations
Add a few tablespoons of grated horseradish to the mash for a spicy note typical of Dobrogea.
Use smoked dried fish for a layer with a more complex and deeper flavor.
If dried fish is unavailable, salt fresh fish with coarse salt 24 hours ahead — the result will be milder but structurally similar.