The latest from Skysteward’s European Correspondent

THIS IS a very fishy time here in the Netherlands, for now is the time of year for “Hollandse Nieuwe” – “New Catch Holland Herring.” The skinny silver herrings fatten up until they are more than 16% fat (the required minimum), sometimes 25% from eating the plankton, which is like Nutella and stroopwafels to those fishes. The fish is filleted but the tail is left on to provide a handle when you eat them. They are cured a little but are basically raw. Dutch sushi!

It is a holiday when the Hollandse Nieuwe arrive. The queen appears to give her blessing to the first barrel at the port, and she gets to have the first taste of the New Catch — which to me proves being royal is not so great. And the Royal Family buys the first barrel of herring for 50,000 Euros or something like that and the money is donated to charity.  The season is short, only a few weeks, and then the fat herring are gone until next year.

My ma is happy. She has bought many opinions, turnips and pickles which are traditional to serve with the herring. But she also makes fishballs and they are even more famous than her meatballs, which is why I am staying out late and missing dinner as often as I can for the next few weeks.

Also, I see Ma cut from health magazine a recipe for Hollandse Nieuwe frozen treat on a stick and I am very afraid to open the freezer.

This is NOT ME    ——>

If you want these fish you must come to the Netherlands quick before they are gone.

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