The Fish That Saved The Lives Of American Soldiers

Do you know that a dish made from fish played a huge role in saving the existence of America?

This fish is called American Shad. There was a time when Americans would leave everything to catch, cook and eat shad fish.

Even today, there is a tradition of eating shad fish by frying it in the small village of Essex in the American state of Connecticut. A program is organized every year for this. The Rotary Club has been organizing it since 1958. We will tell you why this fish is so special for the people here, but before that, we will tell you the method of cooking it.

All the bones are removed

Shad is a special kind of large-sized fish. This fish found in the Connecticut River comes to the river from the Sargasso Sea, a part of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Shad fish gather in the Connecticut River to lay eggs in the months of April to June. By the time spring arrives, their population increases considerably. These fish are found in such large numbers in the river that even those who do not know how to catch fish sit down to catch fish.

After cutting the shad fish, all its thorns are removed. Then its long and thin pieces are cut and fixed on wooden planks with the help of nails. Small cuts are made in the pieces of fish and salt, masala and red capsicum pieces are applied on them. Then they are roasted in a large brazier.

Large vessels are kept under the planks so that when heated, the oil of the fish gets collected in them and the fish sinks quickly and becomes crispy. People come from far and wide to eat it in the Connecticut River Museum. Mention of the methods of cooking shad fish is also found in eighteenth century books.

Food of the poor

Experts say that when America was a slave of Britain, poor people used to eat shad fish in large quantities. In those times, it was the food of poor farmers and laborers. Even prisoners in jail were given shad fish to eat.

This fish was found in large quantities in the Connecticut River. Therefore, the poor people around used to feed themselves with this. At one time, this fish was called the food of the poor. It is also mentioned in folk tales of Connecticut. In some stories, it is said that the devil made it from his bones. While in some, it is described as a form of evil spirits.

Anyway, apart from these folk tales, one thing can be believed that this fish saved the lives of American forces. It is said that when George Washington’s troops were fighting the enemy and famine, the shad fish helped the army win the war against both.

The army was stationed at the front and there was nothing to eat. Suddenly, shad was produced in huge quantities. The soldiers satiated their hunger by eating shad and won the battle of the American Revolution.

There is no doubt that shad is a delicious fish. But due to its easy availability and large production, it was identified as the food of the poor. However, when the nature of the economy changed in the twentieth century, the situation of shad also changed.

Special dish in weddings

In the capital of America, Washington DC, there has been a competition to eat as many baked shad fish as possible. Shad is also being served as a special dish in weddings, political parties, etc.

A state of America, North Carolina, has started claiming that this fish is theirs. They are the ones who cook it in the best way. Although some people do not like its taste because of its excessive thorns. But traditionally its demand is so high that everyone wants to taste it.

Shad is cooked in many ways, but the taste that comes after roasting its pieces by banging them on wooden planks, cannot be found in shad cooked in any other way.

Decrease in production due to factories

Some historians say that the trend of eating shad has increased in the middle class society. But, the custom of cooking it in traditional ways is almost coming to an end now. Only a few people are left who are still keeping this tradition alive.

The Rotary Club of Essex, Connecticut has been carrying forward this tradition for the last sixty years.

The craze for shad has increased due to the change in the American economy. But its production has decreased due to the establishment of big factories near the Connecticut River. However, the Energy and Environmental Protection Department of Connecticut is taking full care of the flourishing of shad.

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