Barbados Flying Fish
The Flying Fish is the National Icon of the island of Barbados
Flying Fish, common to tropical seas, are found in the warm waters surrounding the island of Barbados.
Here's a little information about the fish, and we've also included a great recipe below, and a few of the best places to get a taste of this national icon.
Does the Flying Fish Actually Fly?
Just like birds, they break the water’s surface, and fly distances of up to 100 yards at about 30 miles per hour.
Some wing their way into fishermen’s boats. Flying Fish do not actually fly the same way as birds, because birds vibrate their wings during flight. This fish gets its power and speed from its tail fin, which it moves from side to side with powerful strokes.
It is much easier to move through the air than it is through the water, (there is less resistance in air), and the Flying Fish launch themselves from the water like rockets. 
Other descriptions state the fish glide through the air, rather than fly.
However Flying Fish do have wings, (as seen in the picture to the left) and once air born, they spread their wings, and appear to be "flying".
However you want to describe the flight of the Flying Fish, the silvery-blue fish can be seen in mass out in the waters off the coast of Barbados.
Flying Fish can easily be identified by their huge flying fins and lopsided tails. They have forked tails, and the lower part of the tail is much longer and larger than the upper - thus giving a lopsided appearance.
Flying Fish take flight to escape predators such as swordfish, tunas, and other larger fish, but they cannot escape the nets of the Barbadian fishermen.
The National Dish of Barbados is Cou-Cou and Flying Fish
Bajans love steamed Flying Fish in gravy with Cou-Cou - (shown at left). Cou-cou is made out of corn meal and okra.
We like our Flying Fish battered and FRIED!
The taste of Flying Fish is quite delicate, and it does not have a "fishy" taste. It's really good when seasoned with fresh lime, battered and fried.
Sorry, I don't personally care for the steamed version.
Recipe for Fried Flying Fish ~ Barbados Style
Ingredients:
8 flying fish fillets
1 small onion
1 small green pepper chopped
1 blade chives chopped
thyme and parsley
salt and pepper
few drops of lime juice
1 egg beaten
breadcrumbs
oil for frying
2 limes wedged
Preparation:
Mix the seasoning ingredients and spread over the meaty side of the fish. Leave for about 1 hour. Dip the fish into the beaten egg and then into the breadcrumbs. Fry gently in a little oil for about 10 minutes. Serve with wedged of lime. Serves 4-6.
Here's a recipe for Steamed Flying Fish
by Anne-Marie Whittaker (website listed below)
Ingredients:
8 flying fish fillets
3 limes
1 tbs salt
3 tbs Barbadian Seasoning
1 large onion sliced
6 cloves garlic minced
1 green bell pepper cut in julienne strips
½ oz fresh thyme
½ oz fresh marjoram
1 tsp parsley chopped
1 large tomato chopped
1 tsp limejuice
2 cups water
½ tsp hot pepper sauce
½ tsp curry powder
3 tbs margarine
seasoned salt to taste
Preparation:
Rub the fish with the juice of the limes and the salt and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Rinse the fish and pat dry with paper towels, then rub in the Barbadian Seasoning.
Roll each up (like a sausage) and secure with a toothpick. Heat the margarine in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic for 3 minutes, or until the onions become transparent. Add the tomato and parsley and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes. Tie the thyme and marjoram together and add to the pan together with the remaining ingredients - except the fish. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the fish and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
Yield: 4 servings
Serve with Coo Coo.
Where to purchase Flying Fish
A visit to the island is not complete without having flying fish for at least one meal. Most restaurants on the island serve flying fish, however we will let you in on our two favorite places.
We recommend Oistins Fishing Village, especially on Friday nights, and Baxter's Road, just outside of the downtown area in the capital city of Bridgetown.
The vendors and restaurants on Baxter's Road don't start up until 11:00 p.m., and things really get hopping around 2-3:00 a.m., so for those visitors who don't stay up late, you might want to visit Oistins.
Every Friday night, Oistins features a fish fry, and it seems like the whole island, visitors and locals, turn up for fresh, affordable seafood, music, and overall a good time.
Friday nights aren't the only time to visit Oistins for great seafood. Fresh fish are delivered by fishermen every day.
For more information on the weekly fish fry, and the Oistins Fish Festival, visit our main Caribbean travel site.
The Steamed Flying Fish Recipe is from Anne-Marie - stop by her site, for more recipes
More recipes by Anne-Marie Whittaker
Ms. Anne-Marie Whittaker's website: Native Treasures
http://www.native-treasures.com/