Image by dr.jd via Flickr
I was raised by vegetarians, so I didn't learn how to cook animal flesh until I was an adult. Actually trimming, cleaning, and otherwise preparing the flesh for cooking is often still somewhat daunting — and even more so with fish.
Now that we live in the San Francisco Bay Area and can get fresh sardines fairly easily, it's time for me to learn how to clean 'em. There are six whole sardines waiting in my fridge right now; they're destined to play the starring role in a curry by dinnertime. But first, I have work to do.
Here are a few sites I've been reading today for inspiration, all describing similar (but different) methods for cleaning sardines:
- How to Clean Sardines Japanese Style, from Kyoto Foodie — which also has some recipes I'd lke to try
- How to Clean Sardines and Eat as if you live in Spain, from Vanessa Barrington
- How to prep sardines with Boqueria's Seamus Mullen, by Daniel Gritzer in Time Out New York
There's only so much one can learn from photos, videos, or illustrations. Very soon now, I'm going to have to grab a little fishie by the head and start slicing.
Wish me luck.