Why The Smelly Salt Fish?

Saltfish, i.e. cod that has been salted and cured in the sun, is a very
common part of Caribbean people's diet. Saltfish is not even a local
product
(it is im****ted from places like Norway into the region) yet it forms part
of Jamaica's national dish and is very prominent in Caribbean/African/West
Indian communities in the UK, USA, Africa and other places too.

Can anyone say why? What is the historical signficance?

BlackMan
BlackMag
http://www.blackmag.co.uk/blackforum/blacktopic137.php