28.8.11

Mullet Chronicles

It looks like a fish to me!


The following is a true story......



Roderick Donald McLeod . . . was Judge in Crawfordville Florida  from 1901 to 1928.  


His greatest acclaim was for his decision regarding mullet fishing. In the early 1900’s a bill established January and February as  the “open” season for mullet (the fish, folks). 

In Wakulla County, November and December were the best time for mullet fishermen.  Some men were arrested for fishing out of season and brought before Judge McLeod.  

With his reputation for being a fair man, the fishermen were sure they would get a proper judgement.  He sent them on their way,however, with no real solution to their problem.  He was very concerned about the livelihood of these fishermen, but had to obey the law . . . . It was pointed out to [the judge’s wife] that mullet 
had gizzards, a unique feature, as other fish do not have gizzards. Upon hearing this, the judge was then assured of the course to take......





When presented with the offending fishermen, he declared.........





 ...........the mullet not a fish, since it had a gizzard, and released the fishermen!  The entire state rejoiced over the victory brought about by Judge McLeod . . . Newspapers throughout the state ran headlines proclaiming the mullet to be a bird!


Up to this point in my life, the only Bird/Mullet combo I ever knew was this one.......



The Wakulla County Mullet/ Bird  legend is inscribed on a placard in Azalea Park here in Crawfordville, Florida. The legend illustrates that sentiment against laws adversely affecting commercial fishing has an eighty year history in the Panhandle. 

A Mullet weather-vane sits atop the old courthouse to this day...





I know you probably thought when you saw the blog post "Mullet Chronicles" You were thinking this.....





The mullet  haircut was very popular back in the day....The mullet is a hairstyle that is short at the front and sides, and long in the back. 


Often ridiculed as a lowbrow and unappealing hairstyle, the mullet began to appear in popular media in the 1960s and 1970s but did not become generally well-known until the early 1980s. It continued to be popular until the mid-1990s: 


This fad may be fading..................


.........................................Although you can still see pockets of mullet resistance throughout the country... especially in Walmart stores.....


Oh,  and just in case you were wondering..........................

How to Cook Mullet Gizzards


Mullet gizzards are taken from the mullet fish, a fish found in many parts of the world, particularly in temperate waters. While not as common as chicken gizzards, mullet gizzards have a similar flavor and texture. 

Mullet gizzards have a tendency to become tough and somewhat rubbery if cooked for too long. For this reason, they are usually fried in very hot oil instead of using other methods like grilling or baking. If you cannot find mullet gizzards in your area, ask a local fishmonger to order them specifically for you.

Step 1

Combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp. sea salt or kosher salt in a mixing bowl.

Step 2

Crack one egg into a second mixing bowl and beat it lightly with a fork for about 15 seconds.

Step 3

Place 1 cup of vegetable oil in a large sauté pan. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking.

Step 4

Rinse the mullet gizzards under cold clean water. Pat them dry with paper towels.

Step 5

Dredge the mullet gizzards in the egg mixture, followed by the flour and salt mixture until evenly coated. Place the coated mullet gizzards on a plate until they are evenly coated.

Step 6

Place the mullet gizzards in the hot oil. Cook the mullet gizzards for 3 minutes per side or until golden brown.

Step 7

Transfer the cooked mullet gizzards to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Season the mullet gizzards with freshly ground black pepper to taste and serve while hot.

Enjoy? 




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