Cuttlefish and 6 Fish

Our boat driver where we go snorkeling has promoted us to friends, which means now we get free fresh fish whenever there's a catch. Yesterday he handed us 6 small fish, which we took home cooked. Cleaning fish is still pretty gross. I don't like doing it inside so we use the ablution outside sink. It's really to wash your feet in before you pray, but it's good for cleaning fish too.....

He also sold us on the cheap a huge cuttefish, which is a relative of the squid and octopus. Our boat driver has incredible skill. He puts on a flimsy old snorkeling mask and tube, jumps in the water, and goes swimming with a stick. With the hook end of the stick he sweeps them in. He does it while we snorkel, so next time maybe I'll catch one too!

While he was driving us back to shore, the bottom of the boat was filled with cuttlefish swimming in their own ink. Next time perhaps I'll get one with the ink sack still in tact so I can make black rice or a Venetian cuttlefish dish.

While I was trying to cut it up for the marinade, it's wet and squishy flesh kept pulling back from it's massive bug eyes. This is really a new experience for me in terms of connection with my food. I think a lot of people would not eat what they regularly eat at home or in a restaurant if they had to deal with it from step one. It's a good lesson though.

That is one thing that I do really enjoy about Oman: the easy access to fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. If all the oil runs out (which is will) at least Oman will be able to sustain itself, which is more than can be said for most Gulf countries.