A couple of weeks ago, I received an email asking for recommendations for an out-of-towner for this past weekend. While I provided some restaurant suggestions, I also mentioned some events around town. One of those events is the BC Spot Prawns Festival, a local event started recently (this is its fourth year) and that involves local chefs (from the Chef’s Table Society) and organizations (like Ocean Wise). Last year, I didn’t attend because, well, I had other plans and I thought it would be a good idea this year!
Originally, I was going to go with Mijune and then Anita. However, due to some change of plans, Mijune had to cancel and Anita and I ended up going there. Now, those who have been to Granville Island know that parking might be a pain and, in my case, in a futile attempt of getting free parking lead us nowhere. In the end, I ended up going for metered parking… Anyway, eventually we arrived to the grounds (or should I say piers) where the event was taking place… Now, some pictures around…
Queue to the piers.
Boats bringing in the spot prawns
Bag of prawns.
Local chefs, part of the Chef’s Table Society, signing Vancouver Cooks 2 books.
How about a food blogger taking a picture of a food blogger taking a picture of food? Here, Melody Fury.
Eventually, paid my $10 for a sample of the day’s catch. That ended up being…
A plate of four spot prawns, with three dipping sauces, Thai, mango and cocktail. Out of the three, I would put them in this order: Mango, Thai and cocktail. The cocktail one taste “artificial”, as if they came out of a jar. The Thai had some interesting flavours in it, including some slight spicy kick and some pungency, courtesy of the fish sauce. However, while it was good in its own ways, the mango one won it because of the sweetness, fruity taste.
Finally, the “good” part of the prawns. If you ever have prawns heads on, you must suck this up. This is the tastiest part of it! Here, it had a light seafood taste, though not as strong as the ones you can find in other seafood. Alas, some people were going only body and missing these completely. In the picture above, a couple from either Quebec or France finished their prawns but didn’t even touch the heads. Believe me, I was so tempted to grab it from their plates… >_< Likewise, I was disappointed I was given without the head but, come to think about it, it is possible they might have given it with the heads on. Finally, by the end of the even (3:00 p.m.), I started to notice that a lot of the orders were four of the prawns, all heads on. Sigh…
So, here is the big question…. While I believe it is really good, specially if compared to tiger prawns, the question is, how does it compare to other forms of prawns? If you checked yesterday’s post of my mom’s cooking, you should have noticed several langostino dishes. It is partially a tough call but, if I have to choose between the two, I will go for the langostino. Part of the reason for this choice is the taste: in the case of the langostino, it had a stronger taste of sweetness and seafood taste in it, which I thought the spot prawns lacked a little bit. Still, here is the kicker: I live in Vancouver and what I can get is spot prawns, not langostino…
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Gawd, the heads are the best. It’s too bad some people are afraid or unaware. I guess it’s a bit hard for people to suck head…
^^ It goes without saying that Sherman…oh Sherman.
Anyways, stalking Melody much?! haha.
I was going to go on Saturday..but instead, I just rolled around in bed for a couple hours. Go me.
Papa, papa, paparazzi
Mel, you’re everywhere!
is that $10 for only 4 prawns?
Koji, yes, $10 for only 4 prawns…
Those are pretty big prawns. I have to say, I’m one of those body-eaters – I can’t stomach the head! My friend can though – he is always eager to finish mine for me.
I could eat a plate of their heads.
Katie, to quote Sherman, you just “suck the head”… (Darn, that didn’t sound right…)
J, or make a good broth/sauce out of it!
i’ve never been a head sucker but i should try… ?
Trisha, prawn heads? Go ahead…
I agree, sucking the heads is the best! I was at the prawn fest too last Saturday (and I ran into Melody as well!)
Phyllis, hmmmm… Did you know each other before? Had I known you were there…
Nope, never met her before, just recognized her from photos/video on her blog. I should’ve let you know I was in town but was having some ‘technical difficulties’ (no cell reception, slow internet etc).
ps. I’m planning to be at Brado this Sat afternoon to try the infamous poutine pizza if you want to stop by for a slice
Mmm these are delish! I’ve been getting mine from T&T though as they’re much cheaper than from the festival. So far we’ve been eating it the Chinese way – steamed, with a dipping sauce of chopped garlic, soy sauce, vinegar and oil. Delicious!
MizzJ, I am aware that the ones from T&T are cheaper ($9/pound?). However, I have been busy and haven’t had a chance to cook as I wish I could. But, yeah, I hope to buy and cook some before the season ends!
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