I’m losing pretty badly at Pokémon X at
this time. The fairy gym is killing me,
so I decided to have a break. Irene had
cooked some smoked oolichan that had been sitting on the counter, so I served
myself some.
Oolichan is an important part of Nisga’a
culture, and I’m still learning about it.
It was one of the major trades to the surrounding cultures that happened
to be not near the coast, and they traded for grease and other important
items. (I will ask more later), but they
have some months dedicated to the Oolichan, such as the correct time of fishing
and so.
The oolichan was served with a corn sauce
and rice. Like most smaller fish
(thinking of anchovies when making Ddukbokki…), you have to rip off the head
and tail. A smoky flavour that has
lodged itself in the fish, and the fish, being naturally greasy is rich, and
covers the inside of your mouth after a few bites. Being naturally greasy, the Nisga’a people
would use this as a main resource, because they would have needed all the
calories they could obtain in their diet, otherwise they would be starving.
My opinion is that I shouldn’t be allowed
to judge. I am a foreigner welcomed into
a home that yes, I am paying rent for, and I am eating what I am given. I will mention to Irene that I am interested
in what purpose the oolichan were used for (to a much higher degree, include
the information in here), and I do actually like oolichan – a lot. Just interesting that there was the grease
covering the fish gave my mouth a film that is similar to toothpaste – maybe
this was used in place of toothpaste?
(Think about it). Also! My mouth may smell like oolichan, but it
feels clean. I approve!
I would eat oolichan again. It’s fantastic undergoing something new for
the first time, and I’m quite content with experiencing a new lifestyle.
I don’t think I’ve been healthier since I
have been here…
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