ESTURIÓN WITH 15TH C TURNOVER RECIPE

. .  . beats THE BEST day at work!
Photo from: Greg Bishop

sollo, OCast. estorian, Cat esturió, L. Acipenser sturio, Eng. sturgeon. This includes any of several large cartilaginous fresh water fishes. They have rows of bony spikes along the body going toward the head, instead of the tail, and a projecting snout. Although fresh water fish, they also inhabit the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, the North and Caspian Seas, swimming to fresh water to spawn and to the ocean to die near Asturias, some claim.

Also, contrary to other fish, sturgeon is noted for swimming against the current, not with it. Caviar is prepared from the roe, and isinglass in the air bladder. In the Middle Ages, caviar was valued in Russia but not in Western Europe.

The flesh, however, was highly esteemed and compared with veal. In England, it was considered a royal fish. When served at banquets, it was crowned prior to leaving the kitchen and a band lead it to the banquet hall.

Villena gives detailed instructions on how it is to be carved lengthwise and how to remove the cartilage. It can be baked or marinated. [Cassell’s. n/d:934; Covarrubias. 1998:1611:572; Gázquez. Cocina. 2002:233; Nola. 1989:lix-2; Nola/Iranzo. 1982:169; and Villena/Calero. 2002:101:23a:37b]

STURGION, WHICH IS PIKE TURNOVERS ADAPTED FROM NOLA’S lix-2 ESTURIÓN EN PAN QUE ES SOLLO

Delicious Hot or Cold With or Without Orange Juice
Photo by: Lord-Williams

Ingredients

1 lb sturgeon or fresh water fish[1]

¼ tsp white pepper

1 tsp ginger

salt to taste

empanada dough for 16-20 turnovers

For sprinkling[2]:

¼ c orange juice

1/8 tsp pepper

Preparation

PREHEAT OVEN TO 375ºF/190ºC

Clean the fish and slice it into rounds the thickness of two fingers. Put into turnover dough with spices. Close and seal the turnover. Brush it with olive oil and bake it in the oven for 30-40 minutes until the crust is toasted.

If it is to be eaten hot, sprinkle it with orange juice and pepper.  It can also be consumed cold.

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[1] Trout was used, which proved to be excellent. 

[2] A splash of rosewater is quite tastey.