Dear Fish Faces. So, apparently today is Buy British Day. Ok, we may not be able to get British petrol neither British turkeys at Christmas, but we can at least get our hands on some amazing British seafood. And the good news is, British seafood is the best in world.
What’s more, October is a great month to buy seafood. Mussels are starting to appear at my fishmongers once again. These little shiny black pearls of deliciousness are at their best in colder months. There really is nothing more pleasing than eating a hot, steaming bowl of moules mariniere. Loads of garlic, shallots, white wine and parsley – dreamland 😍
Sizzling Sardines
If you see Sardines at your fishmongers this month snap them up. I think they’re at their best this time of year. They’ll also become less readily available as we head into winter.
Whack them under a hot grill and you’ll almost get that nostalgic summer smell of fresh Sardines sizzling on a beachside barbeque. Of course, the rain will be sheeting it down outside, but that doesn’t matter. For a few moments at least, we can be in Spain or Portugal.
Awesome Oysters
As with Mussels, I find Oysters to be at their very best too during the colder months. They’re fantastic this time of year with just a squeeze of lemon. As we head into winter and temperatures start to drop that’s time to bring out the tabasco.
Bizarre Bait Balls
We’re still awaiting the arrival of Sprats down here in Poole. Apparently, last year’s Sprat season was the worst for a long time. There is hope, however, that this year could be entirely different.
For the past week or so there has been unusual activity out in Poole Bay. Huge bait balls of what could be Sprats have been attracting gulls and terns in their hundreds. The birds scream and swoop and squabble and dive. It really is like a scene from an Attenborough documentary.
Everyone I’ve spoken to down here has never seen anything like it, but strangely, Sprats have yet to appear on any slabs. It’s all very bizarre stuff, but then it’s a bizarre time.
I guess the question is, what will arrive first – Sprats or petrol?