our children to love seafood

How We Got Our Children to Love Seafood

My kids LIKE seafood.

I say LIKE because they haven’t really taken a liking to other types of seafood such as anchovies, sardines, calms and other strange looking shellfish, which both me and hubby have grown to love.

Growing up in Hawaii you’re introduced to fish (both raw and cooked) at a young age (12 months old in our case), but we really wanted them to eat and love the more exotic seafoods that we do.

So during our trip to Spain, we drove to the enchanting City of Girona where we decided to spend a few days to tour Catalonia, and visit a restaurant we heard had the “Best Seafood in Girona”. This restaurant displays “fresh caught” shellfish and fish and let’s the diner chose what they want to eat, how they wanted it cooked before they dine. Perfect opportunity for us to introduce the strange and unusual and so we booked reservations.

As we entered Arroz i Pix, their colorful display of fresh seafood was just overwhelming. We watched as the kids eyes lit up and they walked over to the raw buffet pointing and squealing at the same time. Here, is where we met Sergio, who helped us choose and decide what would be great for the kids.

A beautiful display…
A beautiful display…
“Are they still alive?”
Sergio :)  He was great with the kids.  Whatever they chose, he explained what it was in details.
Sergio 🙂 He was great with the kids. Whatever they chose, he explained what it was in details. This was their first choice, Navalles.

He said let them choose whatever they like, and also recommended little or no seasoning so the children can really taste the seafood they select. And so, we let them choose. Not sure if that was a good idea since they really went all out, choosing practically everything they saw!?

They chose this...
They chose this…
And this...
And this…
And these langoustines :)
And these langoustines 🙂

They chose around 8 different types of shellfish and fish for us to try. We sat patiently and waited for the first serving, which were the calms!

Waiting patiently!
Waiting patiently!

 

They both loved these clams.  Which were only sautéed in olive oil and very little garlic.  Served with a lemon.
They both loved these clams. Which were only sautéed in olive oil and very little garlic. Served with a lemon.

 

And then these little babies show up!  Tallarines, were their absolute favorite!
And then these little babies show up! Tallarines, were their absolute favorite!

They loved these baby clams, “tallarines” and practically licked the entire plate after it was all gone. This one was cooked with some basil and the kids loved eating this dish. It was fun sucking out the meat and licking their fingers.

“Can you order more of these?”

Our next dish showed up. Jaf refused to try it because he said, “I’m not eating those. They look like fingers?” Lou Lou dived right in.

I can't believe they even those this?  But she ate it all!
I can’t believe they even those this? But she ate it all!
Here's the proof! :)
Here’s the proof! 🙂

After eating a whole load of seafood and I don’t even know how many pieces of bread the party started to die down. Thankfully, because now Mom and Dad has a chance to sample some of other dishes that show up. The calamari was absolutely divine! It has now become the one thing we always ordered while in Spain.

Calamares Blanca :)
Calamares Blanca 🙂
"Hurry up daddy!!"
“Hurry up daddy!!”
Sonso, similar to sardines :)
Sonso, similar to sardines 🙂
"I got whiskers!!!"
“I got whiskers!!!”
These were Mom's favorite!
These were Mom’s favorite!
And Dad's favorite!
And Dad’s favorite!

As the remainder of the dishes kept coming, we noticed they were beginning to get full. We were so pleased at how they really had no fear of selecting and eating seafood and although full, whenever a new dish arrived they at least wanted to try it. There wasn’t one dish they didn’t like and asked if we’d be returning to the restaurant the next day.

After daddy received the $400 bill, I think NOT! 🙂

Perhaps seafood only during a special occassion!

 

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