Crispy Hot Whitebait

Sichuan provincial towns and villages are criss-crossed with rivers, and the people who live there can often be seen with small nets catching whatever happens to be swimming by. Not surprisingly, then, freshwater fish of all kinds, usually small fish and shrimps, are commonly deep-fried and sold as snacks. Here, the fried fish are given a spicy seasoning using Sichuan peppercorns, chillies and ginger.