Chikuwa

A forcemeat of white-fleshed fishes (mainly pollack) is seasoned and molded around bamboo sticks before being roasted over a fire. The sausage is then slipped from the stick, leaving a hole through the length of it. Many kinds of commercially prepared chikuwa (literally “circling bamboo”) are available in the refrigerator and freezer cases of Oriental groceries. Kibun brand, which packages five sticks in a cellophane wrapper, is usually a good choice. Refrigerate and use within 5 days of purchase.