by Margery Wilson

In the Netherlands June is the month of “Hollandse Nieuwe” or New Catch Holland Herring, at a time of year when the silver fish gain up to 25% fat from feasting on plankton in the waters of the North Sea.

In the US you can celebrate Hollandse Nieuwe in New York City at the famous Russ & Daughters restaurant.  Perveyors of the highest quality smoked fish, caviar, and specialty foods, Russ & Daughters is New York’s premier appetizing shop. Since 1914 this New York institution has been run by four generations of the Russ family. The tastes, traditions, and old-world class of this landmark show are a true New York experience.

From their website:

Procured from the waters of the North Sea, the new catch herring are imported directly from Holland by Russ & Daughters, where they’re available for the next few weeks.

At Russ, you can order the herring ($4.94 each) at the counter and eat the them the traditional way, which is coated with chopped raw onions, held aloft by the tail, and lowered into the mouth. Each silvery fish is comprised of two plump fillets that are joined at the tail, and boast a rich, almost buttery texture. Perhaps as a result of their high omega-3 content, consuming the herring is akin to doing a shot of wheatgrass juice — they produce the same immediate salutary high and discernible mental clarity. Most importantly, they’re also delicious.

Russ & Daughters has a blog with the wonderful name of “Lox Populi” and can be read by clicking HERE.