Shad Roe with bacon and lemon

Preparation info
  • Serves

    4

    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood: Culinary Treasures from Our Waters

By John Ash

Published 2023

  • About

Shad roe is a delicacy that’s available only during the spring, so make the most of it when it’s available. Coating the roe sacs with buttermilk and flour, frying them in bacon fat until crisp, and serving them with bacon and lemon segments is one of the best ways to enjoy this food. Nothing else is needed.

Ingredients

  • Four 5-ounce (140-g) lobes shad roe (2 sets)
  • <

Method

Add the shad roe lobes to a small bowl and pour the buttermilk over the lobes to cover the lobes. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.

In a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook the bacon, turning once, until browned and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, reserving the fat in the pan. Tear the bacon into large pieces. Set aside.

Add the flour to a sh