Hotaru-Ika – Firefly squid – [Sushi|Foodlore]

Description

Hotaru-ika – (Firefly squid.) -Kanji: 蛍烏賊 Hiragana: ほたいかいか • Katakana: ホタルイカ

• About this squid: Itsy bitsy palm sized squids! (no bigger than 3″-4″) which live for just a year and end it by assembling near Toyama bay in March through May. They get their name from their bright, blue-white full body b glow, the sight of which is best viewed just before dawn in April throgh May. These deep sea squid come to the surface to mate and then end their own lives throwing themselves against the shoreline.– Despite their status as a natural treasure & tourist attraction they are also harvested by the ton during this time! – Their glow of course, paired with the fact that many of the squid are about to beach themselves regardless, also means they’re quite easy to capture for consumption. (In fact, most fishermen will usually simply capture them in bulk with a hand held net!) – These squid are always eaten grilled or frozen; rather than raw, generally, they have their guts removed and are then boiled before serving. My favourite way is of course on a Gunkanmaki roll (as pictured) but there’s a surprising number of creative ways to eat it! (I’ve seen them served grilled on stick and even used as a topping for pasta or pizza or served in bento boxes!) Their flavour is described as rich & creamy.

(Frankly i’m a bit suprised there isnt a yokai (at least that i could find. based off this glowing phenomena, (would have thought for sure it would be a thing…) but i suppose if there’s a logical answer (and a tasty one at that) then it makes enough sense why there wouldnt be.) –That said, is a small museum in the Toyama’s Namerikawa City; They host squid viewing parties & also have a “Hotaru fairy” as their mascot! (They even serve fried firefly squid as a pizza topping in their restaurant!) one of my bucket list visiting spots for sure.

[Fishermen fishing for the hotaru ika, image source.]

[Art sticker by @Samkalensky part of my sushi collection! Follow and support for many more!]