So even when I was a meat eater, I never really liked fish. I loved shrimp, lobster and scallops, but never fish. When I stopped eating meat altogether in 2000 it wasn’t an issue at all to not eat seafood, as I rarely had it anyway.
Last year, this changed. Deep in the throws of adjusting to my gluten free/celiacs status, I was suffering tremendously from eating out and remaining vegetarian, but still getting glutenized and being sick for weeks. My solution was to eat out less, but when we came to Maui last Summer, we found ourselves eating out more, and in a moment of malnourished psychological desperation, a deep craving erupted in me and I asked a waitress for a plate of pork. Just like that. A. plate. of. pork.
There are no words for how good that pork was. And it wasn’t about contradicting the reasons I had chosen to become a vegetarian all those years ago, it was about letting myself have. And that process is one for a lengthy post at another time, but suffice it to say that I have been dancing with eating meat since then. I don’t think its something that I will do for much longer, but its been a relearning of what my body needs and responds well too.
One of the things that Jon, a pescatarian, encouraged me to do last year was try different fish. More then anything it was the fishy taste I didn’t like. And although many tell me that if its fishy it isn’t good, I can’t ever remember trying fish that wasn’t fishy. Here in Hawaii, however, there are all these fish that you don’t hear about on the mainland, and the culinary artistry here is mind blowing. Each time Jon got a dish, I was enticed to try his fish just simply by the appearance and smell of his food.
I’m learning to eat fish. And honestly I’m not sure to what end. I know that if we travel to Asia, I will surely need to eat fish in order to eat, as the rice and soy sauce content of most Asian food will make it impossible for me to eat much. So for now, its a tentative practice.
So on to the Ono. Ono is also known as Wahoo, and its light, firm and one of the few fish I loved when I tasted it last year. This last week we went to the Lahaina Yacht Club and the special was Ono with a miso butter sauce over garlic mashed potatoes. I was nervous ordering a whole fish plate for myself, because typically I eat off of Jon’s plate as a precaution to not liking it. I ordered it, and savored every last morsel. Isn’t it a gorgeous plate of food?
My body seems to take fish in well. I never feel the heaviness I feel after eating red or white meat, and I’m grateful that I have an alternative to meat when we travel overseas. I’m still in process with it all, and that’s OK. For now, I’m grateful that I’m in a place with such amazing and fresh food and that I’m able to allow myself the time and space to explore. And wow! Was this an amazing meal!
discovering your blog is a joy1
Thank you, love!
The fish on Maui is so fresh and "ono" that means delicious on Hawaiian. Ono fish is clean form white fish, holds up well when BBQ. I have more suggestions for you to try but will tell you in person when we see each other next. Don't forget to try @Starnoodle. Aloha
Dania, I've been trying my hand at grilling, and would love to try fish. Its been challenging cooking fish when I really have never done it before. Will have to give Ono a try here at home. Can't wait to see you again soon!
ah It is quite hard being a vegetarian and gluten free. So having fish would be a relief I'm sure. The ono does look beautiful
I love fish and in the united states one of my favorite is farm raised catfish. It is light, flaky and slightly sweet. Try it sometimes you may like it too! Love your blog!
I felt the same way about fish until I had a bite of really fresh tuna in Barbados a few years ago. Once I had a piece of really good fish I finally understood what people were talking about when they said if it's fishy it isn't good.
Thanks for sharing, I really enjoy your blog.
Beautiful plate and a wonderful pilgrimage story! Thank-you for sharing both the meal and your experiences.
Goodness me, this looks beautiful. I love fish – I was actually just saying to Momma Lee the other day that we need to have one designated vegetarian/vegan day a week and one fish day to mix things up a bit. She's a little prone to eating too much meat… This dish looks absolutely perfect.
Also, I think your photography and your blog are absolutely beautiful. I've been by before to gaze at your pictures and I shall certainly be back again!
Jax x
Jax, thank you so much for your kind words!
For not being a fish eater, I think you did an excellent job! You just made my damn hungry. Mm.
Lovely presentation! The sauce sounds terrific too.
Good luck with your quest.
LL
Beautiful plate of Ono, love your pictures!
It's great that you are experimenting with fish and allowing yourself to eat outside the confines of vegetarianism. That ono looks divine! I love fish and there are so many delicious varieties and preparations. Good luck with your continuing food quest.
I LOVE Ono! Every time we make a trip out your direction, it's first on my list of things to devour!
My direction as in, my side of the country, or the West side of the island? 🙂
It's been almost a year now since I had to stop eating gluten because of horrible allergic reactions. For a long time before that i had practiced being a vegan/vegetarian/pescetarian on and off. Although I don't eat red meat, I think I would have a really hard time being a vegetarian and be gluten free.
I know this post is about fish (which is awesome because I am so in agreement, any fish that has a fishy taste grosses me out too!). But I was wondering if you might address living gluten free/ vegetarian in a post at some point in the future. I would love to get back into living that way or as a pescetarian but I'm at a loss as to how and need some pointers.
Thanks for the beautiful post Elena. I'm so happy your food blog is successful!
Beautiful dish! I am, I guess a pescatarian and have been since the age of 7. I say I guess because I have recently seen the term vegetarian being disproving of persons whom eat fish. Anyway on to the fish, this is a great fish and very easy to work with…love that you posed this:)
A few years ago, so much sushi was ate that I got sick. It's only until now, I'm starting to be more cautious about eating fish, and staying away from the fish with an oily taste. I just won't eat sushi with raw meat, again.