What is eel

The word eel is an ambiguous common name referring to several species
of fish snake measuring from 40 cm to 150 cm
and weighing up to 4 kg for females..

It is a highly migratory, and specifically a migratory diadromous thalassotoque said
going up by watershed catadromous migration
although in reality (as in other species of eel of the northern hemisphere)
a small number of individuals will make their entire growth cycle at sea
lagoon, salt or saltwater estuary.

Genetic studies have shown that in 2006 cases of natural hybridization with the American eel are available with up to 15.5% of hybrids in Icelandic populations of eels, and values ​​ranging from 6.7% to 100% depending on the stages of life and places.

The eel was considered particularly hardy and resistant, including its ability to breathe the air, but is still in sharp decline since the 1980s and even now considered endangered in Europe as in North America or Japan.

Gastronomy and eel.

These eels were popular in the cuisine, including smoked, but various studies show that they are often highly contaminated with PCBs and other pollutants.

Their consumption is not forbidden, but several countries have recommended that pregnant women and children not to eat (Germany and Luxembourg, France).

Eel recipe from reunion island

Cari eel:

Serve 5 people – Ingredients:

1.5 kg of eel
6 onions
6 cloves of garlic
8 small ripe tomatoes,
1 piece of ginger (or powdered)
1 / 2 teaspoon saffron (or turmeric)
pepper, salt, oil

Boil the water,
soak as soon as they retract (form a circle) remove them.
With the blade
a knife, remove the glue that covers the white eel and (re-temper in the water
warm if necessary) remove the first black skin.
Be careful not to do from the skin of
below, this is very important.

Cari eel preparation:

Slice the onions and
tomatoes.
Mash together the salt, ginger, chilies, garlic.
cut the eels
into slices of about 5 cm (discard the head).
3c Heat cooking oil.
Brown
onions for about 2 minutes.
Add the crushed mixture, stir.
Add tomatoes,
saffron, and mix well.
Add a glass of water, cover and leave for 10 minutes over
medium, then add the pieces of eel and mix gently.
return
Carefully slice after 5 min.
Cook over medium heat for 15 min
sure that the dish does not dry.

Enjoy this recipe of cari eel.