Rich, delicious, and flavorful, and utterly satisfying, that’s the best way to describe this treat. There’s something about the tang of salt and the oil-stained newspaper that just speaks of a meal so steeped in tradition it only seems appropriate that it comes wrapped in the day’s news.
Fish and Chip day commemorates this fundamental meal of the working class, and while its roots may lay on Britannia’s foggy shores, there are few places in the world that this comfort food hasn’t found its way to.
History of Fish and Chip Day
To talk of the history of this holiday is, as in the case of so many others, to speak of the origins of that which it celebrates. Fish and Chip seem an odd thing to have become the foundation for an entire culture working class, but much comes into focus when you understand the economy and industry of the time it took hold.
In the late 1800s, trawl fishing became a major part of the industry in the North Sea, resulting in the growing availability of fresh fish in areas further inland, especially within the cities. Anyone who understands economics knows that ‘easily available’ means ‘cheaper to get your hands on’.
Cheap, filling and high caloric food created an excellent foundation for a working class that held incredibly physically demanding jobs. Thus it was that “Chippers” started cropping up all over major population centers, the vendors that served fish and chips to the people on the street.
From there, the meal spread all over the world and is now popular all over Canada (being sold from ‘Chip Wagons’) and throughout the USA. In America, it can be found in everything from corner burger shops as part of their fry menu, to some of the most upscale restaurants which provide them with only the best cod and sides.
It really is a meal that crosses all the boundaries of culture, class, and status.
How to celebrate Fish and Chip Day
Well, it starts off simply enough, doesn’t it? Pop on over to your favorite Chipper and get yourself a paper-full of this delicious and filling meal. Try it, however you like it, with a little tartar sauce in the US, a bit of mayonnaise in Canada, or whatever strikes you like your favorite thing to flavor your dish with. Malt vinegar is a very popular addition, and with the delicious tang, it will make your Fish and Chip Day flavorful and authentic!
