In regards to my failed attempt at flounder gigging, and a reference to my canned mullet, I recieved this on my FloridaHillbilly Facebook page today:
SB-“If all else fails, maybe you could try canning stingray.”
And I got to thinking….why not? Well, maybe not canning it, but stingray as a dish? Most people consider it a trash fish, or “poor people food”. Hell, I’m driving an 11 year old truck, regularly hoping to get “just one more week” out of it. I guess I might qualify. And if the economy keeps spiraling out of control (today I heard rumors of a large local firm laying off a bunch -ouch), we ALL might be looking at stingray as an option.
And how many of you have ever paid top dollar for a plate of “poor people food”? Not you, right? Ever eat lobster? According to National Geographic:
In 17th- and 18th-century America, they were so abundant in the northeast that they were often used as fertilizer. Laws were even passed forbidding people to feed servants lobster more than twice a week.
A poor person doesn’t mean a poor (inept) cook. Necessity can teach you to turn very humble ingredients into world-class dining. Make something taste good, and the next thing you know, EVERYONE wants some, driving up the price…
I’m even seeing the price of marrow bones going up as it becomes a Crossfit Paleo food trend (roasted marrow bones are VERY Tasty, I might add). MEATLESS BONES! Insanity!
So I think that it is possible that stingray may be next!
Two years ago, in the Dining and Wine section, there was an article about not just finding a stingray dish in New York City, but finding the best version in town town, referring to the hunt as “America’s first stingray crawl”! It’s happening right before our eyes!
“When you talk about dishes that are distinctly Singaporean however, you must talk about BBQ Stingray in sambal sauce”
And Emeril Lagasse cooked skate on his show once ….if Emeril says its food…
Plus, I believe most everyone has heard the rumors that stingrays are used to make “mock scallops”. The USDA’s website mentions it, but it still looks like there is no concrete evidence, after all, do you believe everything your government tells you? If skates and stingrays (easy to catch, little regulations, and plentiful) tasted like scallops (expensive, highly regulated, and more scarce)…wouldn’t EVERYONE be eating skates and stingrays?
Either way, I may just have to look further into this whole eating stingray issue.
And I promise to save some for SB. It was his idea, after all!
Peace,
db
While your at it, how about trying stingray with a nice side of buffo toad legs. Surf and turf hillbilly style. Again I make these suggestions in jest. Pretty much anything is edible, that doesn’t mean you should eat it.
Not even Hillbillys eat toads….jeesh! We aren’t THAT backward!
😛
Stingray is real good eating, and yes it does taste like scallops!!
Is that from personal experience? I’ve talked with folks that have eaten it, and they say is does not taste like scallops…
Guess its one of those “I gotta try it myself” things….
You gotta try it. Is it scallops? No, but that’s probably the best taste description for me.
bd
Size matter? Is smaller better, more tender?
Tried 1 it was small , others I know have eaten larger ones that where supposedly tasty
bd