A visit to the Netherlands is not complete without a taste of raw herring. After not trying some on our previous visit, I knew that I would definitely have to sample this traditional Dutch treat in July.
On a trip to the Hilversum market, Gabriel and I stumbled across a hoard of elderly Dutch people by the Vis (fish) stand. Red, white, and blue streamers decked out the pungent smelling truck, and tiny tables had been set up around it. Gabriel bought some "kibbeling", which is also a traditional snack. Kibbeling is basically fresh white fish that has been cut into tiny bites and deep-fried. It's served with a delicious mayo-type dressing!
I stood in the biggest line of the shop, waiting to receive my "een haring, alstublieft!" (one herring, please!) Herring is traditionally served with raw onion bits and some pickles. I received my serving, which had been kindly chopped into tiny cubes. Other people around us were eating their herring in one full bite by dangling the fish from it's tail fin! I used the tiny toothpick with the Dutch flag as my eating utensil and dug in! I like sushi, so I wasn't surprised to find that I really loved it! Lekker (tasty)! The fish was so fresh and extremely tasty...I can completely understand why the biggest crowd at the market was waiting for its daily dose of North Sea herring!
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