Glutinous Rice-Marinated Sour Fish

Glutinous Rice-Marinated Sour Fish

　　Glutinous Rice-Marinated Sour Fish is a specialty dish from Guzhang County in Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan Province. With a well-balanced texture and extremely high nutritional value, it is considered a premium delicacy served to guests by the Miao people.

　　Guzhang County is located in western Hunan, slightly east of central Xiangxi, south of the You River and north of the Dong River. Ethnic minorities, primarily Tujia and Miao, make up 85% of the total population. In Miao villages, one of the most commonly used and popular signature dishes is glutinous rice-marinated sour fish. Skillful Miao girls and women are masters at making this dish. After the beginning of autumn, the high-altitude mountainous areas of the Miao region are filled with ripening crops and the fragrance of rice. Miao youths catch baskets of lively, plump fish from drained rice paddies. Once brought home, the women clean and prepare the fish, mixing them with finely crushed glutinous rice flour, then fermenting them in earthen jars. After a month, the fish are ready to be eaten. There are several ways to enjoy glutinous rice-marinated sour fish: it can be stir-fried, deep-fried, grilled, steamed, or sautéed with red chili peppers. However, the best way is to deep-fry it.