Snow Vegetable Yellow Croaker (雪菜黄鱼) is a traditional dish from Zhejiang with a rich history, beloved by locals. In Zhoushan, pickled snow vegetables are a staple in many households, while yellow croaker is prized for its tender, flavorful flesh and minimal bones, often described as “golden scales and soft jade fat.” Combining these two ingredients results in a dish that is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it a premium item on local banquet menus. In Ningbo, Snow Vegetable Yellow Croaker Soup is one of the eight famous dishes, boasting over a century of history and embodying the local people’s love for food and life.
Characteristics and Flavor:
Snow Vegetable Yellow Croaker is renowned for its tender fish, rich vegetable aroma, and savory broth. The delicate texture and fresh taste of yellow croaker meld seamlessly with the unique flavor of snow vegetables, creating a harmonious blend of umami and saltiness. This dish is not only a culinary delight but also offers health benefits such as nourishing the body, improving anemia, and aiding digestion.
Ingredients and Cooking Method:
- Main Ingredients:
- Yellow Croaker: Typically, a robust, meaty yellow croaker weighing around 650 grams is used.
- Snow Vegetables: Fresh, crisp, and flavorful pickled snow vegetables complement the fish perfectly.
- Other Ingredients: Lard, ginger slices, scallion knots, Shaoxing wine, salt, and MSG.
- Cooking Process:
- Prepare the Fish: Scale, gut, and clean the yellow croaker. Score both sides with diagonal cuts.
- Prepare the Snow Vegetables: Finely chop the pickled snow vegetables.
- Fry the Fish: Heat the lard in a pan until hot, add ginger slices to infuse the oil, then fry the yellow croaker until golden brown on both sides.
- Simmer: Add Shaoxing wine and water (or chicken broth), cover, and simmer until the fish is cooked through. Season with salt and MSG to taste.
- Add Snow Vegetables: Remove the scallion knots and ginger slices, add the chopped snow vegetables, and continue simmering for a few minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Serve: Transfer the fish and broth to a serving dish and enjoy.
Cultural Significance:
Snow Vegetable Yellow Croaker is more than just a traditional dish; it symbolizes the local culinary culture and cooking skills of Zhejiang people, as well as their aspirations for a good life. This dish is often prepared for important festivals and celebrations, representing joy and togetherness. Moreover, Snow Vegetable Yellow Croaker conveys wishes for “abundance every year” and “prosperity and happiness,” reflecting people’s hopes for a fulfilling and prosperous life.