Young fish on flood day

Young perch caught on a rainy day can be used to make many delicious dishes.

Young perch have soft scales, unlike other types of perch. If you pull them off too quickly, the net can easily tear and scratch your hands. Although the meat is small, it is fatty. In particular, the soft fish bones supplement calcium...

It has been raining non-stop in the Central region these past few days, causing water to flood the fields. In the middle of the fields, small boats drift with their nets.

During the days before the flood, which is also the time when farming is idle, people in the countryside cast nets all day. It is not only a hobby but also a way to earn a living. Usually, in just a few hours, tilapia, crucian carp, and catfish of all sizes are brought into the house, placed in a large jar to be eaten gradually. During the flood days, family meals become more cozy with fried fish, braised fish, star fruit soup... taking turns. Some days, when there is enough left over, they can even sell to their "customers" waiting in line.

This year, right at the start of the rainy season, the river in front of my house was filled with young perch. For a long time, young perch have been a flood season product for the residents living on both sides of the river. The fish are about the size of a thumb, grayish black in color, with shimmering light blue scales.

A skillful chef can prepare young tilapia in many ways, all of which are delicious, such as grilled, cooked in sour soup, braised with turmeric... But the most popular is deep-fried.

Attractive plate of fried crispy baby perch.

At mealtime, take the fish out of the water jar, still bouncing around, rinse with salt water, rub with a bamboo basket to remove scales, slime, and algae. Carefully squeeze out the intestines and wash, then scoop them out into a basket to drain.

Place the pan on the stove, add cooking oil over medium heat, wait for the oil to heat up then add the fish to fry. In about ten minutes, the fish will be golden brown and crispy on all sides. When the fish is cooked, the meat will crackle. If you look closely, you will see the fat oozing out from the fish, very inviting.

When I was young, the children in my village often followed the adults to catch young perch. When we got home, everyone had a jar full of fish but their whole bodies were shaking. We immediately went to my mother's kitchen, sat next to the wood fire to warm up, and while leaning against the stove, we grilled and fried fish that we had just caught to eat. The grilled or fried young perch was dipped in that sweet and sour fish sauce, the taste lingering for many seasons after.

During the flood season, you can buy half a kilo of fish by walking along the river near your house to prepare many dishes. The fish meat is both fragrant and sweet, creating a delicious and unique flavor. If you want to change the dish, use rice paper to wrap each crispy fish with raw vegetables, thinly sliced ​​mango and dip it in fish sauce. It is extremely delicious, suitable for weight loss but also filling.

Many families in my hometown's meals on rainy and flooded days are more complete with young perch dishes - a simple dish but full of hometown flavor...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/ro-non-ngay-lut-3145123.html