Hekk season is upon us! Get it, because there's a demand - that's what there is!
Of course, there is no such thing as free hekk, just like there is no such thing as „Balaton hekk”. If anyone still thinks that this fish is indigenous to our country and that's why we eat it, they're in for a disappointment. So there never was, is and will never be a hake in Lake Balaton.
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What is a hekk
Northern hake (Merluccius merluccius) marine predatory fish. It is less commonly known by its Hungarian name, csacsihal, but it is also known as sea pike or hake. It is native to the European Atlantic coast from northern Scandinavia and Iceland to North Africa. It is mainly introduced to Europe, including our country, from the coasts of Argentina, Chile, Peru and Africa. It lives in open waters at depths of 200-300 m and hunts mostly at night in the near-surface water layer, so it is mainly fished at night. It is up to 1.4 metres long and weighs up to 15 kilograms. It has a torpedo-like body, a mouth that extends below the eyes and long, very sharp teeth. Belly and sides dark grey, belly white to silvery grey Coverage.
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So the domestic hekk
The hake is not Hungarian at all and it is not caught from Lake Balaton, nor is it farmed. European hake, which we also eat in our country, is nothing other than a species of cod from near the Argentine coast. sea pike. Its spread was due to the depletion of domestic fish stocks in the early 1970s, which had to be replaced while the price of bream increased. The shortage was filled from abroad and spread quite rapidly. Nevertheless, it was a curiosity compared to the gastronomic possibilities of the time and spread extremely quickly the consumption of. The summer season in particular was boosted by Lake Balaton, hence the term „Balaton hekk”. The name "hekk" is probably derived from the English name "hake". This was largely due to the many cafés, buffets and taverns in and around Lake Balaton over the years! The point is that we learned it.
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Why hacks are good
There were a number of reasons for this, the first being speed, easy to prepare, on the other hand, its high-quality white meat does not have a distinctive fishy flavour at all. This allows it to be seasoned well and to satisfy a wide range of needs. An important feature is that it is a species with a low fibre content, which makes it easy for children to eat. As the flesh becomes soft during heating, cooking and frying, it is easy to separate the backbone and „spines”. It is usually eaten roasted, with „koviubi” (pickled cucumber) or pickles, mustard, fresh white bread and baked potatoes. Because of its extreme ease of preparation and the News from quickly became a popular fish dish thanks to its strength, and is still cooked as a tradition in buffets, beaches and restaurants on Lake Balaton.
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Interesting facts
The hake caught there, on the spot, almost immediately after the catch is made. Because the European market is in great demand, important, to get it to the right place without compromising quality. They are brought to an almost ready-to-eat state before transport, which means that their heads are cut off, gutted and put on ice.
The Spanish are the biggest consumers of hedgehogs. According to statistics, 50 % of the world's hemp production takes place there. In Hungarian terms, it is surprising that this is 6-7 kg per person per year. Besides Spain, it is also popular in Italy and France.
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