Chapter 4 Snack mullet roe with wine

Before the future of Taiwan, I only heard that in winter in Taiwan, when the cold current hits, a large number of mullet will appear in the Taiwan Strait, and a net of mullet can make a huge fortune, but there is no mention of mullet roe. After Liberation, Mr. You pointed to a pair of five-inch-long tan, half The transparent thing said: "This is Taiwan's famous mullet roe, but it is an old product from last year, and the color is heavy and fresh. When new mullet roe is released this winter, you can use grilled mullet roe to serve wine, and you will know that it is refreshing and moist." , it’s a great drink to drink with.”

At that time, because I had no impression of mullet roe, I ignored it.One day, it was said that the cold wave from Siberia hit. Although the three or nine days in Taiwan cannot be called "cold" in any way, the general Japanese-style house is full of drafts, and the cold is not very pleasant.So I temporarily invited two friends to Shanglinhua to eat hot pot to catch up with the cold.Shanglinhua has a drinking girl who can drink like a sea. After drinking a dozen beers, she still talks and laughs as usual.Super-grade sake or Fujian’s four-and-a-half wine (the Public Sales Bureau hadn’t produced Shaoxing, Huadiao, Moutai, Wujiapi and some high-end wines at that time), drinking two or three bottles without changing the color is not a big deal at all.So some drinkers took the title together and called her "aircraft carrier".Although she is not a soft and graceful wine girl like Yunji E'e, she can deal with ordinary drinkers who are not drunk after a toast, without stage fright, advancing and retreating calmly, and dealing with Yuru, so the "aircraft carrier" was very famous in the wine country at that time. figure.

Because we went to Shanglinhua to drink from time to time, the "aircraft carrier" always came to say hello when he saw us, even though it was not the right time.It happened that she came to deal with the order season. She said that mullet roe was just on the market, and suggested that we order grilled mullet roe to try. The waiter brought up a round porcelain plate, a plate of mullet roe grilled golden, sliced ​​into thin slices and arranged neatly, served with garlic, it is really beautiful, fresh and delicious, fragrant but not moist, inviting Taste it, no wonder the Japanese regard grilled mullet roe as a delicacy.

Former Pingtung County Mayor Zhang Shanzhong said: "Pingtung is an agricultural county, and the people's life is not rich. From Pingtung Chaozhou Donggang to Hengchun, when the fish season comes, coastal fishermen can comfortably live a fat year. Because mullet It is a kind of fish that hates cold and loves warmth. Although its hometown is the sea area north of the Zhoushan Islands in the Korean Strait, every winter, the huge cold current in Siberia rages southward. They cannot stand the severe cold, so they swim in groups. Facing the sea in the south-central part of Taiwan. The difference between fish seasons is no more than ten days every year. They come at the right time and there are very few delays, so it is called "Xinyu". Based on many years of experience, they can detect when the mullet will arrive in the coastal waters, and immediately gather a fleet to go out to round up the catch. Taiwanese folks believe that the mullet is the fish of the god of wealth. If the fish harvest is good, some people will immediately become rich. In Taiwan, mullet is not used in offering sacrifices to ancestors and giving thanks to the gods. In the fishing villages in the south, it has been passed down to the elders that the god who governs the fish in the sea is the narcissus king who burns incense and worships on the 10th birthday of the lunar calendar. Some people behind his back call him Wanyu King. Because every year in Fula, everyone has to buy new year's goods and clothes, and is in need of money. Therefore, before the Chinese New Year, King Narcissus brought a large number of mullets to let the fishermen catch as much as possible, so that everyone can have a good year Therefore, the fishermen also chose to hold a big sacrifice on the birthday of King Narcissus to thank the gods and give thanks to the gods.”

The old man had a good reason for what he said, and in the villages and towns along the coast of Gaoping, it is true that on the 10th day of October, they sing and perform operas in front of the Narcissus Zunwang Temple to thank God.All in all, some folk legends originally had their basis in fact, but after a long period of time, there is no way to test them, and with the addition of rumors, they have become nonsensical myths. According to the analysis of nutritionists, mullet roe contains a lot of protein and a little fat.When making it, it is salted with sand and then dried in the sun. The time of soaking and the light and heat of the sun are all particular. When the mullet roe is sun-dried to a certain extent, it is necessary to use a large stone slab to flatten and harden the mullet roe. The technology of mullet roe has a great influence on the appearance, taste and durability of mullet roe, so it depends on the master's craftsmanship.

Eating grilled mullet roe also requires considerable skill, and cutting the thickness of mullet roe is a very important condition.If it is too thin, it will not taste good enough to chew, if it is too thick, the outside will be scorched and the inside will not be fully baked.The technique of grilling mullet roe is very good. First, use clean cotton to dip it in sake or Shaoxing alcohol and light wine to wipe off the mullet roe. Do not use strong alcohol such as Sorghum Daqu, for fear that the strong alcohol smell will permeate and reduce the umami taste of the roe. .After slicing, it is baked with a fire; some people use an electric stove to bake, which seems to be wrong.Accompanied by light wine, roasted and eaten as you go, you can experience the fragrance and fragrance of mullet roe.

The Japanese have always regarded Taiwan mullet roe as a rare commodity from afar. If you give them mullet roe, it will be regarded as the most precious seafood.In the past two years, Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia also believe that mullet roe is a jade food from afar, and it is the most popular specialty.Now it is the beginning of winter, and there will be light snow and heavy snow in a blink of an eye. The mullet flood is coming soon. I hope that coastal fishermen will be vigilant at any time, and don't miss the good opportunity to make a fortune once a year.