It was also a traditional
Shabbat fish dish (usually
cod) for the 16th century Andalusian
Jews of Spain and Portugal. The deep-frying of the fish in
vegetable oil makes it crisp and light even when eaten cold, and it is a favourite dish for the late breakfast or lunch after
synagogue services on Saturday morning. There is a general belief that
pescado frito was possibly an inspiration for the English
fish and chips, brought to
England by
Spanish Jews;
Sephardim began to settle in England in small numbers after
Oliver Cromwell lifted the formal ban in the 1650s. ==See also==