The United States of Arugala

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http://www.turkishculture.com/print.php?ID=188

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4-sn2tfX2M&feature=related

The temperature zone of the Black Sea Coast, well-protected by the high Caucasian Mountains, is abundant with hazelnuts, corn and tea. The Black Sea people are fishermen and identify themselves with their ecological companion, the shimmering "hamsi", a small fish similar to anchovy. There are at least forty different dishes made with hamsi! Many poems, anecdotes and folk dances are inspired by this delicious fish.

I had this fish the last time I visited Turkey. My sister-in-law had us over for dinner and asked if I liked fish. Well I don't, but I knew she was already cooking it and and didn't want to be rude or difficult, so I said "evet". So when the fish came to the table, with heads still on, I was shocked. But asked Yilmaz how I was suppose to it eat and he showed me and to my surprise, it was quite delicious.

Please let me know if they were deep fried? How were they served?

She floured them and lightly fried them. She also made a delicious soup (another time I was there). I can't remember the name. I watched her take some dough, and cut it into small pieces and she fried and seasoned them. They were the "croutons" for the soup. The soup was served with yogurt and hot peppers. It was so delicious. And wonderful bread, lots, and lots of bread.

An easy way to prepare tasty hamsi:

1. Buy as much hamsi from the balık shop as you like. Have them cleaned and heads off.
2. Clean them again yourself with LOADS of water, as the fishmen always seem to leave some dirt or even heads
3. Put galata unu (some sort of dried breadcrumbs), some salt and a bit of pepper in a bowl and take each fish through this mixture.
4. Put them on an oven-plate
5. Sprinkle with vegetable oil.
6. Cook/Fry in oven till goldenbrown, take out and enjoy!

A simple salad with (purple)onions will be enough next to it!

Next time I will try Hamsi. Roswitha is fond of fish.
Have you tried Kalkan and Lüfer. (very expensive)

Yes, she did serve the salad with purple onions. But she cooked the fish with the heads on.

Your recipe sounds fast and easy. Thank you.

Oh, please serve it to me..it sounds tasty. . . I am getting hungry!