Fresh and delicious squid from fishermen’s baskets at Bac Lieu estuary

I was born and raised in the coastal area of ​​Bac Lieu, full of sunshine and salty winds all year round. During my childhood, I spent many difficult days following my parents’ footsteps to the sandy beaches loaded with silt, catching every species of seafood to make a living.

Perhaps I am a native of the sea, so even though I have tasted many rich seafood species with distinct flavors, the sweet taste of the fresh squid caught by fishermen with a basket, just coming from the door Sea squid has always been the most delicious squid throughout my childhood until now. No matter where I go to enjoy it, I still cannot find the same delicious taste.

For fishermen in the coastal area of ​​my hometown, Bac Lieu, push xip is one of the methods of near-shore seafood fishing that does not cost as much investment as fishing methods by boat or boat… Xep is an ancient fishing gear. The transmission is made of two long straight bamboo sticks combined into a V-shaped frame, creating a bamboo frame. On the bamboo frame is a thick net that resembles an umbrella. When pushed, aquatic species such as shrimp, fish, squid… fall into the net but cannot escape.

Even though it’s simple, to catch fish with a fishing rod, the fishermen have to put in a lot of hard work.

I always remember when I was young, my family lived in poverty. Even though I live all year round in harmony with the sun and wind from the sea, I still cannot adapt to the weather when the wind changes. So every time I lie down exhausted due to a cold caused by the weather, my mother often goes to the seaport to pick up fishermen after returning from the push to buy fresh squid and cook porridge for me to eat to relieve my cold.

The squids were caught mixed in with the shrimp and fish so there weren’t many in quantity, luckily there were only a dozen or so but in return the sweet taste and freshness were beyond dispute. A steaming bowl of squid porridge sprinkled with green onions, while blowing and slurping, chewing with the squid soaked in chili sauce, all the fatigue of the flu suddenly disappears.

Currently, where I live, wind power plants are everywhere on the beaches, so fishing from bamboo boats is limited. Buying ink from vendors is even more difficult. Understanding that, seafood restaurants along the embankment were born to serve the freshest seafood dishes to tourists inside and outside the province. Especially the squid from the squid, although small, the freshness and sweetness are ranked first.

One time, when I arranged my free time, I went with my mother and relatives to my hometown’s beach to enjoy local seafood. Suddenly my heart burst with happiness when I saw the figures of the fishermen carrying a basket on their shoulders. I was happy because I was able to buy fresh, white squid in a box again.

Perhaps tourists also feel the unique fresh taste of the squid from the squids near the shore, so whenever fishermen come up, they buy them all, bring them over, and hire shops along the embankment to make them. create delicious dishes.

Delicious squid dishes in the coastal area of ​​Bac Lieu, my hometown, have countless ways to prepare them, from simple to elaborate. The highlight is the squid dipped in fish sauce hot pot with a rich taste of the Southwest, or the squid hot pot dipped in vinegar served with typical local vegetables such as chopsticks, rye neu… Those who don’t like to be fussy can order one. Set the charcoal stove on fire and then arrange the squid, which is still gently rubbing itself, fresh and green, and grill it, to enjoy all the natural sweetness.

As for me, in the afternoon I sat along the embankment with my relatives, enjoying a hot bowl of freshly cooked squid porridge, eating under the cool breeze blowing from the estuary, and deeply missed my difficult childhood. When I finish the bowl of porridge, I feel like all the fatigue of life is pushed away, my body feels refreshed as if it has recovered its vitality and is ready for daily work.

I looked out into the distance at the shore that was catching every wave loaded with silt, looking at the figures of many diligent fishermen drenched in sweat from loads of squid, and suddenly felt precious about this land’s seafood. hometown. It seems to carry the far-reaching aspiration of developing local marine tourism, so that the rustic squid that was once poor is now a valuable presence on the menus of luxury restaurants and eateries. .

Article from reader Phan Thanh Cam Giang, Bac Lieu

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