I just love people who take such obvious pride in what their sell or what they do. You can see the care he is taking to artistically arrange the fish for me to photograph. What a guy!
The eel-like fish is called murene (moray eel) which he explained is a carnivorous fish - a type of conger eel - but one with really vicious teeth. The ancient Romans bred this fish and used to satisfy its voracious appetite by feeding it a wicked slave or two. The big red fish is called chapon - another name for rascasse, which is the scorpion fish or hog-fish, much prized in the making of Bouillabaise, as is the eel. The smaller red fish is a rouget (red mullet) .
11 comments:
Fish art! Who knew ;-)
Are you serious about the slave munching eel? Personally I love smoked eel, but I had no idea they'd like me, too...
Wonderful post. You must have a way with people to make them smile so easily for you! What a marvelous opportunity to be asked out on a fishing boat and be able to take pictures.
The eel is quite a beautiful fish, but I wish I hadn't heard the story about the Romans...
Isabella and Clueless in Boston,
I have a booked called A-Z Gastronomique which lists pretty much every French culinary term and that's what it says - about the Moray Eel - and the slaves!
I may say I bought a sole for dinner!
Sorry - I mean a 'book'....
An accommodating subject with interesting fish! The eel has never been a favorite of mine; I love your tidbits of info re. the slave--ugh! PS. I read in the NYTimes today that the second annual Jazz Festival starting this coming Wednesday 'til Dec 2nd will take place in Monte Carlo. Will you be able to get photos?
Jilly, I am so taken with your style. I love these photos. Since I saw the 'wet markets' in Singapore, I love markets like this. How very, very wonderful to get these photos of yours. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.
Wayne
Kate, yes, am trying to get tickets to the Monte Carlo jazz. This is the year it's been held. It's in the Salle Garner (the opera house) which should be fabulous. However, photos? I don't know whether one would be allowed to photograph in the opera house. I doubt it!
Am writing too early in the morning! I meant to write:
This is the 2nd year it's been held. It's in the Salle Garnier, not Garner.
wrap on knuckles, Jilly, for not reading it through...
Oh how kind of him to arrange those fish for you to photograph :)
I guess you're right about eating soles for dinner! Eeek! :-o
I would love to have some bouillabaise right now. Hmmmm!
Wow, this man has great pride in what he does. I hope you were able to go out on the fishing boat. Imagine the photo oportunities from the sea.
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