Fried Crappie Roe

[Darryl Morris]

I have heard of folks eating and I've even been asked to save the roe when cleaning fish for folks. I'm a daring fellow and our crappie here in Arkansas are already bloated with eggs. So, I saved some roe the other day and tried it (when filleting, keep the roe sack whole and in tact).

IT IS GOOD!!!

I just rolled it in self-rising white cornmeal and dropped them is 375 degree oil (careful, they did make the oil pop some), pulled them out about 45-60 seconds later. The color changed from bright orange to a light golden brown. The consistency firmed and looked genuinely appetizing. To me, it tasted like salty egg yolks with a crispy cornmeal breading.

I will definitely be serving this a crappie camp.

[stumpbumpers]

We have always saved the roe. Typically we consider it a delica-c. It usually is done before the fillets so it becomes the appe-teaser. Good stuff. When I was a kid my dad would mix it in with the scrambled eggs, for breakfast.

[Mrs. Crappie Stalker]

I remember my grandpa frying fish roe when I was a kid. At the ripe old age of 9, I used to think it was pretty gross . . . . at the young age of 39, the verdict is still out! I'm sure that you do an awesome job of cooking it though!

[J White]

Errr Ummm - you want me to save you mine:p

[CrappiePappy]

I have heard of folks eating and I've even been asked to save the roe when cleaning fish for folks. I'm a daring fellow and our crappie here in Arkansas are already bloated with eggs. So, I saved some roe the other day and tried it (when filleting, keep the roe sack whole and in tact).

IT IS GOOD!!!

I just rolled it in self-rising white cornmeal and dropped them is 375 degree oil (careful, they did make the oil pop some), pulled them out about 45-60 seconds later. The color changed from bright orange to a light golden brown. The consistency firmed and looked genuinely appetizing. To me, it tasted like salty egg yolks with a crispy cornmeal breading.

I will definitely be serving this at crappie camp.

Yes Darryl ... they are pretty good that way !! And PLEASE be sure the egg sac is intact, before placing them in the skillet or fryer !! Them little single eggs will pop like popcorn and splatter grease everywhere ... not a pretty scenario when frying them on an open fire, or deep fry outfit (open flame type) -- and the grease will burn your hide, too ... LOL!! (been there ....) .......... cp

[Darryl Morris]

Errr Ummm - you want me to save you mine:p

Absolutely!!! I'm going to try them Stumpbumpers way with scrambled eggs. If it is as good as what I had yesterday, breakfast will be even more my favorite meal.

Everyone, I know, it sounds gross and looks gross when first dressed, but if you can at all put your food animosities in check and try it, I know you'll like it. It's just fish eggs. Most of us eat chicken eggs everyday. It's really no different.

[stumpbumpers]

I haven't had anyone turn them down when they were cooked and most of them now save their own fish's eggs. I'll eat bass eggs, bream eggs, shell cracker eggs, white perch eggs, and any other fish I'll fillet... ...I'll eat their eggs... mak'n me salivate just think'n 'bout it.

[Rhino]

Eggs, eggs, good for your heart. The more you eat .............

[gabulldog]

my grandmother would cook them hell for years i didnt know others didnt eat them ill still cook them up from time to time brings back old times

btw she fished tilll 3 days befor she died at 97 and could out fish most of us too

Alan

[Barnacle Bill]

I've heard that the roe out of a gar is poisonous. Is that true or just an old wife's tale?