Friday Fish Fry
On Friday, my whole day revolved around fish. It had nothing to do with the fact that I was raised Catholic and it was considered a sin to eat meat on Fridays back then, and so my family usually ate fish. It had everything to do with a local Floyd business that consists of two women who travel to the coast each week and bring back fresh seafood that they sell out of the back of their truck. Their fish business is called “Indigo Farms,” but I call them “The Indigo Girls.”
I didn’t a have stick of fish left in my house and hadn’t for several weeks. I knew that they only sell fish in Floyd on Friday mornings in front of Harvest Moon Natural Foods, and that if you arrive after 10:30 you’re probably too late; the girls will have already begun their trek to Blacksburg to peddle their delicacies there.
When I arrived at the Harvest Moon parking lot, it was nearly 10:30, and there was a line behind the white refrigerated fish truck. “Should I take a number?” I shouted out in jest to one of the girls, and then took my place in the line. The woman in front of me had a blue cooler slung over her arm, and the man in front of her thanked the girls profusely after he got his fish, saying that he appreciated them ‘more than they’ll ever know.’ He said it more than once, which made me curious. Did someone’s life depend on fish? (And of course I thought my dad, who frequently used the ‘more than you’ll ever know’ line, was talking to me through the man.)
My order came to $52! I have a freezer and plan not to run out of fish for awhile. “Can you put it on ice?” I asked the Indigo girl who reminded me of the Amy Ray part of the duo. “I have some more errands to do.”
Inside “The Harvest Moon” (one has to live on more than fish) I was stopped by Katherine, Harvest Moon icon, herbalist, and close friend, “What are you doing here so early,” she questioned, knowing how much of a morning person I am not.
“It has 4 letters and starts with an F!” I answered her in game show fashion. She responded with the look of someone who had just been told a joke that they didn’t get, so I shouted out, “FISH,” and then headed over to the bulk grains bin to get some flour for the frying.
Post Notes: The photo is of my fisherman rouge of a brother, John. He wrote on the back, “Your brother John with a 30 pound King Salmon.” Besides being a fisherman, he also manages a fish market, so I don’t guess he actually caught it. Don’t forget to visit “Friday Night Fish Fry,” the blog whose namesake I used for the title of this post, to see what she’s been cooking up.
February 4th, 2006 10:20 am
I grew up eating fish and loving it, and now I am married to a man who will not touch it with a 10 foot pole (pun intended)! Fry some up for me, okay? I love it with cole slaw and corn bread.
Michele sent me today.
February 4th, 2006 10:37 am
I absolutely must visit this wonderful place. It’s amazing how much richness of experience is wrapped up in places where you still know the employees by name and everything comes with a story.
February 4th, 2006 12:51 pm
Yum!
February 4th, 2006 1:04 pm
Dropping by for some fine reading. As always!
February 4th, 2006 1:38 pm
Wow.. what a fish…
I like eating fish too, very much, but my hubby doesn’t really, so I eat it rarely…
Here via Michele’s
February 4th, 2006 1:40 pm
wow that is one big fish………
ERRRRRR salmon…
Over from the other Michele’s…
February 4th, 2006 1:58 pm
I like fish, but I’m so picky that nobody wants to eat it with me. I can’t see skin, head or tail. I’m not high maintainence, I swear!! Happy eating.
February 4th, 2006 1:59 pm
Have they ever sold anything called “cole fish?” In Roanoke, my grandfather would go down to the market and come home with them. They were the tails of some kind of fish. Grandma fried them and I loved them for breakfast; probably because you could pull the tail fin and the backbone with attached smaller bones would come out. It was the only fish I knew at the time that didn’t give me fits with all those smaller bones. I can almost taste them now, but have never found them anywhere else.
February 4th, 2006 2:23 pm
Wow.. that is one big fish in the photo. I too would stand in line for fish.
February 4th, 2006 2:26 pm
I used to eat fresh fish all the time. I grew up in Virginia Beach, Va. I’ve been living in the Blue Ridge for 22 years and still ocasionally will go catch enough native trout for a meal but I haven’t had fresh seafood in a long time and miss it Enjoy!
DL
February 4th, 2006 3:46 pm
I’ll ask my brother John if he’s ever heard of “cole fish,” although it might be a regional name. I just finished having cod for lunch with corn and fried potatoes. I also want to ask John how to fry cod without having it crumble apart. The Catfish fries better. We had tuna steak last night. Tomorrow we’ll be back on venison for a break.
February 4th, 2006 4:52 pm
I grew up eating fish several times a week, but not because we were Catholic (we weren’t). To this day, my dad loves to fish and we had to do something with all those fish. And if you get a king salmon–don’t fry it, broil it!
February 5th, 2006 2:36 am
It’s amazing Colleen that in Floyd you can get frwesh fish and a Health Food store, too! That is fabulous! How much fish can you get for $50+? I just wondered if the fish prices there are different from here in L.A.
I love that photo of your brother with that HUGE Fish!
February 5th, 2006 5:48 am
People in Floyd really have to keep on their toes to keep up with you! Are you always so joking and upbeat in the mornings? I need you around here.
February 8th, 2006 9:50 pm
Holy mackeral Johnny!
Just had haddock for supper tonight. Yum yum. It’s great broiled of course, which is how I often cook it. I’ve also got a wonderful recipe for cod and or haddock. If anyone is interested, let me know.