Herrings Calabria Style (Calabria)

Fish

Ingredients

Fresh Herrings - 2 - 2 1/2 pounds

Salt

Olive oil - 1/2 cup

Garlic, finely chopped - 1 clove

Hot chili pepper, very finely chopped - 1/2

Bread, trimmed of crusts - 12 thin slices

Clean the herrings, slit them open carefully and remove their backbones. Cut each herring in two and remove all the smaller bones. Wash in plenty of salted water and wipe dry.

Heat the olive oil in a fish pan, add the garlic and chili and finally the herrings. Sprinkle very lightly with salt and simmer, mashing lightly with a fork, until the herrings are reduced to a paste. Spread the herring paste on slices of bread and serve immediately. The bread may be toasted if preferred.

Serves 6