plokkifiskur

Plokkfiskur is a traditional Icelandic fish dish consisting of white fish and potatoes in a creamy sauce. Typically made with cod or haddock, the fish and boiled potatoes are folded into a sauce of onions, butter, flour, and milk or cream, resulting in a hearty, pale dish.

Origins are practical and rooted in home cookery. It developed as an economical way to use leftover boiled fish and mashed potatoes. The exact dates are unclear, but plokkfiskur has been a staple in Icelandic households and cookbooks for generations.

Preparation involves simmering the fish until just cooked, sautéing onions in butter, and forming a light roux with flour before adding milk or cream. The fish is flaked into pieces and folded with mashed potatoes into the sauce, then gently heated and seasoned with salt and pepper; optional nutmeg or white pepper may be used. Some variants add a thin crust from breadcrumbs and bake briefly.

Serving typically includes rye bread or flatbread on the side, with a simple salad or pickled cabbage. Variants may vary by fish choice, creaminess, or the balance between potato and fish.

Plokkfiskur remains a common and comforting dish in Icelandic cuisine, illustrating practical, home-cooked tradition. It is frequently featured in contemporary cookbooks and menus as a representation of traditional Icelandic flavors.