Seafood Recipes: Cod Fish Gravy & Oyster Sausages
This page shares two vintage seafood recipes from a small-town community cookbook: Cod Fish Gravy served over baked potatoes and old-fashioned Oyster Sausages—oyster-and-veal patties fried slowly in a skillet.
Use the jump links to go straight to the recipe you want, whether you’re craving a creamy cod gravy or crispy skillet patties.
Recipes on this page
Use the links below to jump directly to each recipe.
Cod Fish Gravy and Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 lb salt cod fish
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups milk
- 8 to 10 medium potatoes
- 1 egg (optional, added at the end)
Instructions
- Bake potatoes at 375°F for about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, break salt cod into small pieces. Place in a large skillet and cover with cold water.
- Bring to a boil, then pour off the water. Repeat this boiling-and-draining step two more times.
- Add butter and milk to the skillet.
- Stir flour into the mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Just before serving, break an egg into the hot mixture and stir very lightly.
- Split baked potatoes and spoon cod gravy over the top.
Serves 8.
Oyster Sausages
Ingredients
- 1/2 pint oysters, ground (use a food chopper)
- 1/2 lb lean veal, ground
- 1 cup cracker crumbs
- 2 eggs, well beaten
- Shortening (for frying)
Instructions
- Combine ground oysters, ground veal, cracker crumbs, and beaten eggs.
- Form into small patties.
- Fry slowly on a griddle or skillet in melted shortening until cooked through and browned.
FAQ
What is salt cod, and do I need to soak it?
Salt cod is preserved cod packed with salt. This recipe reduces saltiness by boiling and draining the fish several times.
Why does the recipe boil and drain the cod three times?
Repeated boiling and draining helps remove excess salt from the fish.
What are “oyster sausages” on this page?
They’re pan-fried patties made from ground oysters, ground veal, cracker crumbs, and eggs.
Can I serve the cod gravy without potatoes?
Yes. It’s also good over toast or alongside vegetables, but this page is written to serve it over baked potatoes.