The summer wind gently blew away the hustle and bustle of the city, but it couldn't blow away the deep nostalgia for the delicious food of childhood. In those years of material wealth, the river was not only a paradise for children, but also a place of generous gifts from nature. In those years, Hexian was a regular on the summer table, so cheap that you almost ignored its value.
However, today, these once inconspicuous little ones have quietly become a symbol of luxury, which makes people feel a lot of emotion. Below, let's reminisce about those quietly disappearing river fresh, their stories may be the epitome of the changes in our relationship with nature.
1. River prawns
The verdant figure of the river shrimp was once a sign of a clear stream. Different from the crayfish that are red all over the streets and alleys today, the river shrimp is dressed in a light green coat, the big claws are thick, and the requirements for water quality are almost harsh. On summer nights, lanterns run along the river, and the fun of catching river shrimp can only be turned into a faint smile on the corner of the mouth. Its preciousness is not only the luxury of taste buds, but also the endless yearning for pure nature.
2. Mussels
The legend that "there are pearls hidden in the mussels" is the childhood dream of many children. Beneath the rough exterior of the mussel lies a soft heart and delicious meat. However, clear waters are becoming increasingly scarce, and mussels are a rarity. Now, if you want to taste the sweetness again, I'm afraid you can only find it in your memory.
3. Ishi Sushi
Stone creeper, a name that sounds mysterious. They are like elves in mountain streams, attached to stones, and they are extremely alert. The meat is delicious and nutritious, and it is unforgettable. It's just that this gift from the mountains and wilderness is becoming more and more rare with the changes in the environment.
4. Sesame swordfish
Sesame swordfish, as its name suggests, is not only covered with sesame-like spots, but also has a hint of sesame fragrance in the meat. This unique fish, with extremely strict requirements for water quality and the difficulty of artificial breeding, has made its price soar and become a real aristocrat in the water.
5. Oxtail fish
Golden and smooth, shaped like an oxtail, oxtail fish has a place in the hearts of diners with its unique shape and delicate flesh. With the change of the ecological environment, wild oxtail fish are becoming more and more rare, and that delicious memory has gradually become a legend.
6. Pond snakehead
The pond snakehead fish is not amazing, but it has the reputation of "the first spring fish". Its flesh is plump and tender, making it a rare delicacy in spring. However, the decline in the wild population and the difficulty of breeding have made this delicacy a luxury on the table.
7. Grass fish
When it comes to Hehua fish, it seems that you can smell the faint fragrance of the rice fields. It is small and delicate, with delicate fish bones, and is the spirit of the paddy field. With the development of modern agriculture, the traces of Hehua fish are becoming more and more difficult to find, and it has become a nostalgia in the hearts of many people.
8. Boat tench
Boat tench, similar to sardines, but more tender and tasty. They roam freely in rivers, but their numbers have been decimated due to environmental damage. Every time you taste it, it's like a race against time, trying to keep that touch of freshness that is about to pass away.
9. Cricket shrimp
Cricket shrimp, a cleaner in the northeastern rivers, lives on the crisp water quality. Compared to crayfish, it is purer, but it is also more fragile. As pollution intensifies, clear homes are no longer available, and the future of cricket shrimp is also clouded.
10. 泥鳅
In the end, how can you forget the slippery loach? When we were children, we chased on the ridges, just to capture that funny fun. Nowadays, wild loaches have become a rarity, and although there are many farms, they can no longer find the innocent joy of playing with nature.
These river freshness are not only food, they carry our infinite nostalgia for childhood, nature, and life. In this rapidly changing world, let us cherish every gift of nature, and at the same time think about how to protect this hard-won resource, so that the future days can still have those simple and pure beauty.