“Some call it sushi, but we call it bait.” 

 

If you’re in or around a dockside restaurant on the North Fork, you may overhear a phrase I’ve heard many times before, “Some call it sushi, but we call it bait”.  Often the culprit is a group of local fishermen reflecting on the local lifestyle and laughing at the fancy fish dishes adorning white plates.  Well, I will be the first to admit it… I eat bait!  I eat it raw, I steam it, sauté it, I poach it, bake it, and I grill it.  I make it look pretty and I eat it!  And I like it!  Having said that, I should mention that I am Bob Rocchetta’s daughter and if I didn’t “live fish” I’d probably be committing some carnal sin against the fishing gods.  But regardless of that minor fact, I do love it and I especially love it when it has just been plucked from the salty sea.

Enjoying the fresh catch after an exciting day of fishing is unlike anything else.  It’s a time to savor your accomplishment, to reflect on a memorable day and to share the fruits of your labor with others.  As you may suspect, my family and I have enjoyed many moments like this.  I have, as a result, developed a bit of a repertoire of fish recipes.  It’s my intention to share those recipes with you in the hopes that you too will experience the fulfillment that we have after a bountiful day of fishing on The Rainbow.