Akule
These fish are akule, also known big-eyed scad. I leave it as an exercise for the reader as to just why they might be called that, but I'll give you a hint. It might be because their eyes are so FREAKING BIG. Seriously, look at the size of those peepers, permanently frozen in wide-eyed surprise.
You think they look surprised now... they have no idea what's in store: Pan Fried Akule with Shoyu Butter Sauce. (Akule are also excellent baked, smoked or dried.) We're right in the middle of the season when akule are running--roughly September through January--so they can be found for as low as three to four dollars a pound for netted and hooked fish respectively. Get them while you can, because restrictions limit the availability of akule during most of the year.
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Hi Alan, I've tagged you for the You Are What You Eat Meme! Check out my posting if you're not familar with it. www.messycucina.com
Wonderful Alan - Dried and fried akule was a big part of my "small-kid time" days. Thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories.
Kirk, did you ever dry your own akule at home? I've been thinking of building a dry box to try it, but I'm in a pretty urban neigborhood. I'd be concerned some random passerby would mess with my akule. (Whomever stole my folding chair off right off the front porch--you know who you are--I'm watching now! Be warned.)
Hi Alan - No never did dry my own. But our next door neighbors in Kaimuki(small kid time) did(in an apartment no less!), and since they always gave us some, we'd be constantly checking out da' fish box, along with the jars of lemons and other stuff they had in the front of the building - and no ever messed around with their stuff. I don't know how it would be nowadays, times and people have changed.
Hi Alan,
I like pan fried akule too. I like it plain -- sprinkled with Hawaiian salt and fresh ground black pepper served with a little Aloha shoyu on the side. Mmmm!
Reid, fresh fish doesn't need to be covered up in complicated flavors, eh? Simple can be better.
akule/halalu[same] i love any way or style you prepare it, it's just a natural native fish to catch and eat hawaiian style.
Wally, I agree. Now that I live in a place where I could potentially setup a dry rack I'd really like to dry drying some akule. Next time I can find a fresh batch at the right price I'm hoping to do that.