Salted Skip

Salted skip is a simple salted fish dish enjoyed by many northern countries. While salted skip can be bought during most of the warm season in the Frozen Isles and Imcri, in Pallar, the northernmost island of the Frozen Isles, the first batch caught and prepared is often associated with the coming of age of youths.

Skip Season and Graduation

Skips are small fish of the herring family. Several populations can be found in the Northern Sea, and the many fishing cultures living in coastal regions of the Frozen Isles and Imcri have been catching them for several centuries. In Imcri and southern islands of the Isles, the skip season starts in the month of Florsen. In Pallar, a region much colder, the skip season starts around the end of Eldblom, a full month later.
At the end of Eldblom, Pallarian youngsters also graduate. At the age of fourteen, Pallarian youths finish school and enter adulthood. At this point in life, they will receive an apprenticeship to develop their skills to eventually give back to the community.
Since a few centuries, eating salted skip at graduation has become a tradition all over the island. The skip is specifically the first batch caught. These young adult skip have not yet produced milt and roe, and represent the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Preparation and Serving

The throat and gills are removed from the fish before it is placed in brine for approximately six days. Traditionally, the skip is preserved in cedar wood casks. The skip can be immediately eaten after fillet and skin removal.
In eastern regions of Pallar salted skip is often served with boiled potatoes, chopped chives and dark bread. In western regions salted skip is served with dark bread and a cowberry and cream sauce.