The origins of this fish soup or stew come from the Basque fishing boats, where the appointed cook had to be original and feed everyone with the left overs and trimmings of the day’s work. The name marmitako comes from the word ‘marmita’, a casserole dish used on the fish boats to be able to cook for hungry fishermen. The recipe has developed with time to become more refine but the basics of potatoes and bonito tuna are still there.