Fish on a Stick - Regional, Causal and Exquisite
By Jesús de Avila - The Editor - September 2006
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 There are many and very varied national and international delicacies that can be tasted in Puerto Vallarta and its surroundings, nevertheless, to visit this region without giving you the opportunity to taste an authentic and traditional coastal food dish, would be simply inexcusable.
To begin is important to remember that the most traditional is found in the typical places, as it is the case of the fish on a stick or the fish stick in Los Muertos Beach that for a long time is one of the most popular places among the local population.
To eat fish on a stick or fish stick is a tradition very established, and according to some versions, probably the first one that began selling it at Los Muertos beach was Don Luis and his wife. At present, along the bay already are many places where this dish is sold.
The recipe is very simple, nevertheless, not because of it stops being a delight. All begins by choosing the piece of sailfish or dorado that will be cleaned and filleted, for lately delicately string it on a stick or a very thin rod of wood. While all this process, the coal is burning in order to reach the ideal temperature to cook the fish.
Although the original recipe doesn’t specify it, at the moment some of those that sell it, before placing the fish in position to cook it, they marinated with salt, oregano, and other species. For that reason is that even that the dish is the same one, is possible to differentiate the flavor from one seller to another one.
While smoother and better the fish is cook, better will be its flavor. The secret to obtain this is in the distance of separation that is kept between the fish and the coal for its cooking. Another key is that it is taken care for the cooking to be little by little, by turning the stick constantly where the fillet is. By following the preparation process is possible to distinguish that this dish definitively comes from ancestral traditions.
 Besides its preparation process, the ritual that is required for eating it is what makes it more interesting. With the fish in the hands, immediately –as very probably in the old times– with out using the hands you can begin to enjoy it. Some, before they start eating it add to the fish spicy sauce, lemon and/or salt, while others add to it inclusive diverse sauces. How ever that depends of the taste of each one and base in the extra and additional that the person selling it offers to accompany with. Besides fish, at present also is sold octopus and shrimp on a stick, being also an exquisite delicacy.
What makes this dish more attractive is the fact that to enjoy it in its traditional form is necessary to be in the beach surrounded by the environment that generates bustle and joy. It’s said that nothing is compared to the experience of going to Los Muertos Beach to eat a fish on a stick, while being tanned cover with coconut oil, enjoying a very cold beer or a refreshing beverage.
 The tradition of eating fish on a stick or fish stick goes beyond of what is observed at simple sight. It is an inheritance that has passed generation to generation and it’s living history of the town and its commonness. Don Luis and his wife are no longer among us, how ever they passed the knowledge to their children that are the ones who at this present sell the fish in the same place in a corner of the beach, and have been responsible of keeping this regional tradition alive.
So remember that when you enjoy fish on the stick or fish stick, besides being fed with a traditional and exquisite coastal recipe, you will be nourishing your self with a part of Vallarta history.
Until the next time.
Jesús de Avila – The Editor
E-mail: editor@pvmirror.com
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