The fishing town of Hvide Sande on the Danish North Sea celebrates “Dried Dab Day” on May 9th with a big festival and free dried fish for everyone. The salted and air-dried flatfish – Danish “tørrede dabs” – is perhaps the most traditional food in North Sea cuisine and adorns clotheslines and wooden racks in the region in spring.
The food of the common people
The salted and dried dab was once the food of the common people – a vital supply when the sea was rough and fishermen had to stay in port. The fish were hung on clotheslines outside and the salty wind from the North Sea coast preserved them efficiently. As a supplement to the often economical ship’s provisions, the dried dabs were also a feast at sea. The dabs were simply hung in the sails and were ready for consumption after a few days.
The traditional food is a typical product of the coast: further inland, the salt content of the air is not high enough for its production. The protein-rich, dried dabs are still popular around Hvide Sande today – cold straight from the line, fried or boiled. Chive sauce is served as an accessory and a cold beer is also welcome.
Further information about the region: www.visitvesterhavet.de