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Nuance of Community Norms. It's just Fish, but maybe it applies to other things I may not be aware of.
Sunday I visited the local Market in the San Francisco, California, area where I live. I live in a diverse community and I love this. It’s why I live here.
I frequent this market regularly because they sell freshly caught Seafood of multiple varieties; everything from Albacore to Cod, Crab, Lobster and some imported frozen. Crab is currently on a restricted list do to a current State of California ban due to local Ocean bacteria levels, but that’s another discussion.
So there I was purchasing a large Cod at $3.99 a lb, total $12.77. A nice fresh fish I even had to say to myself as I bagged it off the iced table customers can self-select from.
I learned you get two plastic bags first. One you open, to place the fish in, and the second to place over your hands to pick up the whole fish and place it into the open bag so you don’t get fishy hands.
I carried the huge fish to the shopkeeper at the scale for weighing and instructions for cleaning which is included with purchase. Customers can get the fish cleaned, cut in steaks, or fried. I ordered “cleaned, butterfly, head and fins off.”
When my order was called I picked up my order and maybe it was just me but the weight seemed lighter from when I carted it to the scale. Yes, the head was off as requested but something seemed a bit off. No worries ……I took the order and walked passed a bin that read “Fish Heads $1.99 lb.”
What!
Immediately I felt should I have kept the head on? If I did what would I do with it anyway? Cut it off at home and use it in a Fish Soup, or broth with other fish I never make? I was perplexed!
Had I missed an important opportunity I was not even aware of because I do not completely understand what people do with whole fish? Then, someone else is likely to benefit from my in-experience.
They sell a great deal of Fish Sauce in California.
Because of this I wondered if there is any wisdom to be had from those of you who currently live in USVI that have similar experiences when you re-located? Any community norms you just had to learn the hard way because you were just "unaware"?.
What are the subtle situations/ “Learning Curve” situations you’ve encountered and learned over time by virtue of living in the USVI?
Any local nuances you can share?
The Local Fish Market is my favorite place to visit so if you can recommend one for St. Thomas that will be a bonus! Do you fish?
Posted : March 17, 2016 12:29 am
Love the story. Have had curry fish head numerous times in my life. Many times the cheek meat is the most succulent. Eyeballs are also eating commonly. I've tried.. Meh. I have a little sweet spot here I can wade into the water and catch fish from on rod and reel. Fish I know that won't have ciguatera. It is popular here to eat whole fish.. One of the reasons why the fish I target isn't on the menu of many here. It needs to be skinned otherwise fish will have almost a soapy flavor
Posted : March 17, 2016 12:53 am
Topic starter
Spartygrad95 Great to hear!
Posted : March 17, 2016 1:03 am
Topic starter
Spartygrad95 Thank you for great feedback. I hope you have an enjoyable week ahead!
Posted : March 17, 2016 1:22 am
Are you asking about community nuances or where and how to catch, buy, cook, and eat fish?
Posted : March 17, 2016 8:05 am
The paradox of leaving in St Thomas is that fresh sea food is hard to get and expensive.
Posted : March 17, 2016 10:34 am
Topic starter
Are you asking about community nuances or where and how to catch, buy, cook, and eat fish?
All of the above. STTsailor also posted fresh sea food is hard to get and expensive. So getting the fishing rod out now-and-again, is the best way to get fresh fish?
Where I live now in California, there are dozens of local Fresh Seafood Markets. One really need not fish on there own unless its for enjoyment or is a relaxing past time, especially when you can just go to the market and save time.
I was curious [ since its an Island ] just how easy it would be to shop for fresh fish weekly.
Have a enjoyable weekend ahead
Posted : March 18, 2016 3:25 am
Its very easy in STX. I pick up a whole mahi for $30. by plaza east. Half I fillet and half I make into steaks. If they have wahoo I get that but its more $. In STT I would spearfish for hind, yellow tail and such. I don't in STX - just because I see so little inshore fish and feel bad about killing any.
Posted : March 18, 2016 3:36 am
Topic starter
Its very easy in STX. I pick up a whole mahi for $30. by plaza east. Half I fillet and half I make into steaks. If they have wahoo I get that but its more $. In STT I would spearfish for hind, yellow tail and such. I don't in STX - just because I see so little inshore fish and feel bad about killing any.
(tu)
Posted : March 18, 2016 4:24 am
I live on St Thomas and see fresh fish on a regular basis.
Posted : March 18, 2016 6:38 am
We tend to eat a lot of whole fish. My 5 year old will have a fit over the eyeballs. It's his favorite part. My hubby likes the cheeks. I prefer the fish that has to be skinned as well. It's delicious! But I have to rely on my husband to skin in.
Something that took me awhile to get used to is people not knocking on your door, but instead calling out "Inside". And with the West Indian accent, it sounded more like in-sigh, so I had no idea what was going on.
Posted : March 18, 2016 6:52 am
Topic starter
(tu)
We tend to eat a lot of whole fish. My 5 year old will have a fit over the eyeballs. It's his favorite part. My hubby likes the cheeks. I prefer the fish that has to be skinned as well. It's delicious! But I have to rely on my husband to skin in.
Something that took me awhile to get used to is people not knocking on your door, but instead calling out "Inside". And with the West Indian accent, it sounded more like in-sigh, so I had no idea what was going on.
Posted : March 19, 2016 4:17 am
