Whitebait
season has begun! It is the time of year
for delicious whitebait fritters (basically fried fish and egg patties) – if
you have access to this fishy delicacy!
Whitebait Fritter served with salad
New Zealand
whitebait are the immature young of five different species of fish that make
their way from the ocean and up the rivers in springtime. They are caught with nets and popular fishing
spots are often claimed by the same people each year.
Permanent whitebaiters' huts dotted along a riverbank in Southland
Patient whitebaiters can be found sitting alongside riverbanks or working the river mouths with their nets.
Catches are smaller than of old, and restrictions are now in place to regulate the health and abundance of the whitebait.
 |
| Netting whitebait at the mouth of the Kiritehere River |
I was sent
a gorgeous photo of a Royal Spoonbill feasting on whitebait on the edge of Waimakariri
River in Canterbury, but unfortunately was denied permission to post it here.
This
spoonbill photo was taken by Rebecca Bowater and sourced from
www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz
Have an
enjoyable week everyone 😊
Margaret.
I have never heard of whitebait... hope I can remember to Google it in a little while. I would never have thought to try fish and eggs but would try it if there. That Royal Spoonbill is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Whitebait fish. Google tells me they are tiny fish one to two inches long and are eaten whole, head, guts and all. I was expecting them to be much bigger.
ReplyDeleteThe Spoonbill is an impressive looking bird!!
They are just 'baby' fish and seldom over an inch long. And, yes, they are eaten whole! Some people object to the eyes looking at them LOL
DeleteWe used to go whitebaiting when we were at highschool. On the Kaituna river I think or the Wairoa. Never caught much but it was fun.
ReplyDeleteWairoa or Wairi..
ReplyDeleteIn the village when I was a child, the fish man would arrive on a Friday, mum cooked fish and chips for tea. On Saturdays she would cook kippers for brunch, but sometimes she would fry whitebait, which I loved, but then I love most fish.
ReplyDeleteI love whitebait, but rarely have them, unfortunately. Love your photos Margaret, the windblown trees in Southland are stunning. It's been a long time since I have seen/been too Kiritihere - fishing off the bridge was a favourite summer day trip from where I grew up in Te Kuiti.
ReplyDeleteStay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Whitebait fritters. Those were the days. I don't think I've ever seen a live spoonbill.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWhitebaiting is new to me, the meal looks delicious. I love the Royal Spoonbill, beautiful bird and photo. Take care, enjoy your day!
It is amazing to me that you are permitted to catch immatures - the very future of the fishery. They are not like commercially-raised young lambs that can be killed for human consumption and replaced at will. There are good and ethical reasons it seems to me not to eat lamb chops.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever had a whitebait fritter but it sounds and looks good!
ReplyDeleteMy grandparents had a stand somewhere near Hokitika years ago. They made a lot of 'seasonal' friends there. Whitebait is particularly good in souffle.
ReplyDeleteOh I bet that would be so yummy, I eat a lot of fish, mostly the frozen kind as I'm not anywhere near the sea and I dont think I would want to eat anything out of Lake ontario right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tradition. It reminds me of the smelt fishing here in winter.
ReplyDeleteThat is an incredible looking bird. Thank you for sharing!
I have never heard about whitebait fritters. Very interesting to see the photos. Always something new to learn!
ReplyDeleteIt is many years since I have had a whitebait fritter.
ReplyDeleteHmm sounds yummy. And such beautiful sights, too!
ReplyDeleteThat bird sure looks impressive!