Smoking Kahawai

There has been a strong interest around fishing and beach life following the holidays and over the summer season. We have been very fortunate to have Michael (Rhy's dad) come in to prepare and smoke a Kahawai fish with the children. 
The children touched the fish's scales and even it's eyes to develop an understanding of the sensorial feelings of what a fish looks, smells and feels like up close.
Michael showed the children the teeth inside the fish's mouth while reminding them never to put their fingers inside a fish's mouth while it is alive. He also showed the children the fins and tail of the fish and explained how these help the fish to steer through the water while it is swimming.
Michael cut the fish's head off and cut it down through the middle to flatten it open. 
The children laughed as Michael showed them how to make a 'fish face' by holding the fish head out in front of their face like a mask.
The children sprinkled brown sugar and salt over the fish and left it to crystalize for ten minutes.
The smoker was prepared with Manuka tree wood chip shavings.
We dug a hole in our vegetable garden and buried the fish head and tail into the soil as fertilizer for the garden.
We could see the smoke rising from the smoker and smell the fish cooking as we were having our mat time. 
After mat time we sat in the shade and ate the smoked Kahawai while it was still warm. It was so delicious!

Thank you Michael.
The children's learning around fishing is extended as they get a close sensory experience and develop knowledge more indepth knowledge about the Kahawai fish and how to prepare and smoke it making it ready for eating.
Children are taking responsibility for our growing garden and Papatuanuku through making use of the discarded fish carcass by putting it back into the earth and helping to fertilize the soil.