Ely lies in the heart of the Fens and was once an island surrounded by marshland and water that contained many eels. It is thought that the abundance of eels led to the name that the city bears to this day.*
Eels were historically part of the local staple diet as well as a valuable source of income. Jellied eels were popular until recent times and clients would come from London such was the reputation of Ely’s eels.*
Eels are still caught in the Great River Ouse although only one commercial catcher still remains. *
The eel art pictured is a 3m high galvanised steel eel sculpture by local sculptor Pete Baker. It was a gift from Ely Rotary Club to the people of Ely to mark 100 years of Rotary International.*
Interesting. They are not very attractive creatures but a bit delicacy over this side of the world too – especially in Japanese cuisine.
I don’t think I have seen it served on a menu over hear, although it must be in places.
eel is very unusual to me, even more so as a food item, CP. interesting to read about this text.
It is not very common over hear either.
Interesting to read about the eels although have to say jellied eel does not sound very tasty! The sculpture is super.
I used to see jellied eels at the seaside although I have never been tempted to try them!
I’ve never eaten eels, as in jellied eels. But I have eaten conger eel (in S.America) and it was delicious, the texture of the flesh was the same as fish. Very tasty
It is interesting to learn that the texture is like fish. Looking at them makes me think they would be rubbery. Perhaps I will give it a try if I see it on a menu somewhere.
Well, I never knew that. It all seems obvious now, though, having had it explained. I don’t think I would fancy eel.
They don’t look very appetising but if they are like fish as mentioned above they are probably more tasty than they look.
Its body parts look extremely realistic, Cherie
I love this sculpture
Not so common over here either. Really interesting story.
Over here the eel is considered wildlife and as such there is no sustainable source to provide eels as a regular food source.
i had a difficult time recognizing the sculpture… i was thinking of a saxophone at first Cherie….peter:)
HaHaHa. Did you see the rooftop musical notes coming out of the mouthpiece of the eel/saxophone?
I have tried jellied eels before!
Twice I think
But I am not a big fan of cold eels.
Much better served warm
Can you describe the taste and texture of them served warm?
I am curious, the look of eels puts me off wanting to try them in any form! But above JD describes the texture as being the same as fish.
The best way to cook eels is to grilled them.
Then their fatty skin will get crispy and soft.
You should try the Japanese unadon (eel rice).
Or you can try anago (sea eel sushi).
Sea eels are cheaper than fresh water eels.
But they taste similar.
I suppose that the skin could be taken off to remove the fatty content?
Not that I am likely to be able to source an eel locally to try it out
Have you tried rollmops before?
The herring skin has similar fatty texture.
I have eaten kippers and although I like the meat I am not a fan of the bones. Bleh!
A bit late to this, but as a youngster brought up in the east end of London, ells in all their forms were common fare.
I liked them all , jellied with vinegar and salt, hot ells in bowls at F. Cooke and Sons in the Kingsland Road famous for the very best pie and mash.
They also sold live ells on a counter in the window, I can understand some people not liking the texture of ells but like all things it is a matter of taste, meatier and oilier than standard wet fish, think oily Monkfish !
It is fascinating to learn that you had so many eel opportunities in London. I have only ever encountered eel on offer as jellied, along with whelks, cockles etc. on my visits to the seaside in my younger years.
After all the descriptions above I might be tempted to try eel if I find it on offer in a restaurant.
very interesting and informative dear Cherie!
i knew little about that electric fish but not as much you shared here
thank you for sharing!
It was all new to me too!
Apologies for the ells eels , getting old……………………….
It is just a typo, I do them all the time
Once again apologies for the lateness, but here is a video, not great quality that shows the premises of F Cooke in Dalston London before ti closed down.
As well as being the best of all the London pie shops by general consensus at the time it also sold eels in various forms as can be seen on the video, they also used to do very good fruit tarts, the menu shows that as well.
One other item of note is the Art Deco interior, the room to the rear being especially good in this respect, luckily despite closing the interior being listed has survived though now as an Indian restaurant, no eels I am afraid !!!!!!!!!!!!
https://youtu.be/gNcriWwBfSI
Wow what a fascinating piece of history. It is a shame that the thriving business closed down.
Equally fascinating is that the Art Deco interior survived. With or without eels are there any photos of the Indian Restaurant?
Your site wont let me post, it says I am a bit spammy ?
Ahh yes! anything that has more than two links goes into comment moderation.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/54/77/2c/54772cf244b98408dc02823232510885.jpg
The shop front now, it appears it is a Chinese restaurant, it may have changed again.
https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101235868-f-cookes-eel-pie-and-mash-shop-dalston-ward/photos/28894
After seeing the old photo it seems rather odd seeing it as a Chinese restaurant!
I shall post in parts, the restaurant is actually or was Chinese, it has closed down so no news of what has become of the building yet.
One of the interior
https://foursquare.com/v/shanghai/4ac518ddf964a52086a920e3?openPhotoId=4fb93734e4b02380cbf13ad1
and another…
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/2427934635/
I shall have to find out what has become of the place, as it is listed I am sure a good use will be found.
I love the old tiling on the walls. It would be interesting to see what it looks like now after the closure of the Chinese.