goggle eye fish

 

Yesterday I was inside when I suddenly heard Moto, our dog, barking

which to us is equilelant to a doorbell because when anyone

comes to the gate he lets us know.

I went outside to see our neighbour's son, O'Neil

standing at the gate with a plastic container in his hand.

I will be honest:  my first thought was CAKE???!

But it wasn't cake it was fish.

Goggle eye fish.  

6 whole little fish ... cleaned

but with their heads and tails and scales still on.

Now I am going to be honest again:

I can't stand to eat fish that is looking back at me

Especially one named 'goggle eye' because truly they 

have the BIGGEST eyes I have ever seen on a fish.

So I asked O'Neil to come inside and cut the heads off.

He did.

Later I went over to take some money over to my neighbour

to pay for the fish.

I know that they don't have alot of money so I thought that I should pay.

When I walked up her steps, and into her house they were all gathered around

frying up fish, and eating it happily.

I handed her the money and she said,

Oh Miss Debi, don't be insultin' me.  I don't wan yor money. 

At times I think... boy I still have so much to learn.

They may be poor but they are so giving, and I can't embarrass them

by paying for our friendship.

I think to myself.. if one of my friends brought me over a cake 

(yeah yeah.. I want cake!)

I wouldn't PAY them for it.  

That would be ridiculous so why do I do that here?

Because I know they need it.

But they are still my friends and Carol is right:

it is insultin'

Living and learning.

So ...  goggle eye fish are a very very special treat!!

They are only available for a short time every year.

They are only found out Punta Gorda way and they come through

the reef in HUGE schools and are caught with a net.

Apparently islanders LOVE goggle eye fish.

Carol gave me the low down on how to cook them:

heat the oil good and hot,

put on some salt and pepper

and lots of lime and fry em up.

Then she looked at me and smiled saying,

"I remember when you told me that you liked little fish,

well the goggle eye she be little!"

Delicious.

Lots of bones but delicious!!!

I am blessed.

I had said to Bob that I wanted some fish and then

the following day it comes to my door.

A coincidence?

No

God~ is ~ good!!!