Looking out the window of Doucet House in Rustico, the oldest house on Prince Edward Island, the land and sea stretch before you. Farming was a big part of the lives of the Acadians but so was fishing. The same is true today for this gentle island.
The bay shows signs of three fisheries, oyster, mussel and eel, among the many on the island.
The latter is unfamiliar to me and caught my interest.
There is an active eel fishery in Prince Edward Island and in Rustico you can see where the traps are in the water. Traps are the shape of a windsock, with an opening on the larger end. The season runs from August to October, with a size limit on the fish which can be kept.
The serpentine like fish are not commonly eaten in Canada but there is a market overseas so the product is exported. For example, marinated eel is an antipasto in Italy.
This is a recipe for whole roasted eel. The description of its preparation is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
I have never eaten eel nor seen it to buy. I am curious about it and would probably try it. How about you?