A Day at Ballycotton Pier in Cork
The Irish coastline, with its captivating beauty and rich history, has a myriad of locations that can provide a perfect day out. Ballycotton Pier in Cork is one such place. Not just a mere place to look at the waves, but a locale laden with stories, adventures, and opportunities.
A Glimpse into the Past
Ballycotton Pier stands as a testament to Ireland’s maritime history. Over the years, it has seen countless fishermen set sail in the hopes of a bountiful catch, witnessed the swells and tides of the Atlantic, and offered respite to those who sought the calm of the sea. Overlooking the expanse of the ocean, the pier provides a panoramic view of the surroundings. On a clear day, one can easily spot the iconic Ballycotton Lighthouse, standing tall amidst the waters, guiding vessels safely along the coast.
A short walk from the pier and you’re at a rocky beach, a little haven for those who love to comb the shores. With every tide, the ocean gifts the beach with its treasures – seashells. For kids and adults alike, searching for that perfect shell becomes a delightful pastime.
An Unexpected Fishing Adventure
Our visit to Ballycotton wasn’t initially intended to be a fishing trip. However, upon hearing that mackerels were in season, the temptation was too hard to resist. Armed with basic fishing equipment, our enthusiasm more than made up for our lack of expertise.
Choosing to cast our lines from the breakwater point turned out to be a masterstroke. Much to our amazement, the mackerels seemed to love our bait. Within hours, we had managed to catch around 7 kilograms of them! Among our catch was also a tiny pollack, but given its size, we decided to release it back into the waters.
From Sea to Plate
The culmination of our adventure was treating our taste buds. Freshly caught mackerel, fried to perfection, tastes as delicate as any gourmet dish. With its tender meat, the mackerel was a true delight.
However, with so much fish on hand, we decided to preserve some in a unique way. While I’m not certain about Irish traditions, I recalled a practice from Poland. There, it’s quite common to store fried fish in jars, filled with a vinegar and tomato marinade. Not only does this allow you to relish the fish for an extended period, but the marinade also works wonders in softening the bones, almost dissolving them. If anyone would like to try this delightful method of preserving fish, check the recipe below and save for later!
Pickled Fish Recipe1
(Quantities given are for three 0.9-litre jars. You’ll need approximately 1 kg of fish for these three jars.)
Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups of water
- Half a cup of vinegar (10%)
- 1 tablespoon of rock salt
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- 200g of spicy ketchup (we also used tomato puree)
- 2 onions
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 allspice berries
Preparation of the Brine:
- Peel and slice the onions into thin wedges.
- Combine all the brine ingredients in a pot. Mix them well and bring to a boil over medium heat, covering the pot to prevent the vinegar fumes from escaping. Stir occasionally.
- Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer for another 3 minutes.
- Pour the hot brine over the fish arranged in jars, ensuring that the onions are also included.
- Seal the jars tightly and set them on a kitchen countertop lined with a cloth. Cover with a towel or another kitchen cloth until they cool completely.
- Once prepared, store the pickled fish in a tomato and vinegar brine in the refrigerator. Wait a week before tasting to allow the flavors to meld.
In Retrospect
Our day at Ballycotton Pier turned out to be more than just a day out by the sea. It was an adventure, an exploration, and a gastronomic journey, all rolled into one. And as the sun set, casting a golden hue over the waters, we left with our hearts full, and jars even fuller.
1 Original recipe: https://ania-gotuje.pl/przepis/ryba-w-zalewie-octowo-pomidorowej/
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