old people storytime is irresistable
December 13th, 2007 by Lawrence David
our dinner plans foiled by the winter wonderland that is new england this evening, christina and i have stayed in and made sushi. lucky for us, a terrific fish market is about 3 blocks from our apartment. allegedly, japanese folks will call in orders all the way from albany and connecticut and then show up to get their fish.
it took me 20 minutes to get my fatty tuna; i got caught up talking with the old man who owns the shop. he wonderfully fits all the grandfather stereotypes: wrinkles like a crumpled piece of paper, clothing item with bermuda written on it (hat), and purveyor of an unending stream of stories.
fun and interesting facts (do you always trust your grandpa?) he told me this evening:
- tuna weighs 80 pounds in the spring in bermuda. by the time they migrate up to the new england area in the fall/winter, they can weigh up to 800 lbs.
- you used to be able to buy a 400 lb tuna for about $4,000 in the 1980′s. today, that same fish goes for $20,000.
- the japanese buy freshly caught tuna here in new england, flash freeze them, and then send them back east.
- east cambridge used to be 90% italian only about 5 decades ago. then, families either died out, or got wealthy and moved out to the burbs. the portuguese next arrived; a similar exodus is currently underway in their community. the current ethnic group replacing the portuguese: the yuppies.
the fish market in less arctic conditions:
oh man did i ever tell you about this dream I had?
Im out on a fishing boat and am looking to hook in a single 800 lb tuna beast (bluefin) I get one, haul its still writhering body onto the deck, instantly produce my trusty fish scaler, quickly scrap off some scales and then just take the biggest bite i could humanly manage. i might want to learn to unhinge my jaw just to be able to do this.
Tuna is so tasty, especially fresh and raw.
The best tuna steaks are ahia tuna steaks, rubbed with some seasoning, flash seared on both sides (2 min tops, or just until each side browns) and serve, the inside should still be cold and red.
haha, no you never told me about that dream. let me know if you ever decide to try and make it the reality!