The ultimate Dutch street food: “Haring”.
Specifically, the one that is referred to as Hollandse Nieuwe or New Dutch Herring.
A staple dish of the Netherlands since the Middle Ages!!
So, a herring is a small, slender, silvery fish. More than 80% of the herring eaten in the Netherlands isn’t caught here but caught near Scandinavian countries.
To be called Hollandse Nieuwe, the herring must be at least three years old, have at least 16 % fat content, caught during the fishing period from May 1 to August 31 of the current calendar year and soused according to the traditional methods; partially gutted and then salted. Additionally, the sale of herring is strictly controlled and can only be called the Hollandse Nieuwe by auctioning the first barrel off the boat, at an official sanctioned herring feast, Vlaggetjesdag or Flag Day, whereby the proceeds are donated to charity. This year, the Dutch herring season just started on 18 June 2024. These herring called Hollandse Nieuwe can be sold till the end of September. After that, all herring must be sold under the name “Hollandse Maatjesharing”, outside fishing season. The name ‘maatje’ comes from the word ‘maagd’ in Dutch, which means virgin. So, the Hollandse Maatjesharing are young virgin herring.
When you order a herring at a “Haringkar” or fish stall, it will be cleaned as such. See video!
https://www.facebook.com/iBecomingDutch/videos/832246885043821
You may be asked if you would like ‘uitjes en zuur’. Uitjes are onions chopped into pieces, added to disguise the salt. Zuur refers to the sliced sour pickles also added to mask the saltiness of the fish.
Traditionally, herring is eaten by grabbing its tail and let it slide down your throat. It is customary! But you can have them cut in pieces so you won’t choke. Hahaha …
A typical Dutch delicacy. Something for you?
