CHICAGO (AP) — Asian carp may be a plankton-gobbling nuisance threatening the Great Lakes, but Illinois officials hope to change that perception one bite at a time.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources held a public tasting event in Chicago on Thursday to start a campaign they hope leads to feeding the fish to people facing hunger.
Chef Philippe Parola sauteed fillets and deep fried fish cakes. The fillets, fried in butter with salt pepper and sprinkle of Creole spices, have a very mild taste, like tilapia.
The fish cakes, served with a cheese and cream sauce, are savory and moist.
The effort to make Asian carp an acceptable stable faces people’s nose-crinkling response to eating a fish that grows to 100 pounds and is able to sail out of the water.
