DISHES & INGREDIENTS

GULAS

A Bite-Size Creation: Spanish Delicacies Inspired by Eels

September 7, 2023

In Spanish bars, a highly popular snack emerged from a fascination with tiny eels—an exquisite delicacy that’s notoriously challenging to catch, impacting both its availability and price. You see, European eels embark on a remarkable journey to the Caribbean Sea for spawning, then it takes nearly a whole year before the kids they return home. By the time they return, they’ve grown to be around 5-7 centimeters in length and just 2 millimeters in thickness.

European rivers have long been a source for eel fishing. However, high demand and unregulated exports of these creatures to Japan led to a dramatic surge in prices. Consequently, in the 1990s, a more affordable substitute emerged, drawing inspiration from Japan’s innovations in seafood, including surimi.

This substitute consists of pure white fish protein, which is minced and processed into a noodle-like texture resembling eels. These “eels” are then either pan-fried with garlic and spicy pepper or incorporated into various dishes alongside shrimp and other seafood. Of course, the taste of these ersatz eels can significantly differ from the original, but much of it depends on the skills of the chef.