Priscilla’s Choupique (ShoePick) Patties

Properly called bowfin, the fish carries more aliases than John … trout, cotton fish and in South Louisiana, choupique (pronounced shoe-pick). Like gars, bowfin are bimodal breathers which means they have the capacity to breathe both water and air.

Bowfin are considered a “trash fish” by many, but are treasured table fare to some, who find them quite palatable if cleaned promptly. Preparation can be fried, blackened, used in courtbouillion, or in fishballs or cakes.

Ingredients

• 3 cups fish meat
• 1 cup prepared mashed potatoes
• 1 egg lightly scrambled
• 1/4 cup white onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fine green onions (scallions)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup parsley
• salt and cayenne to taste
• 4 tablespoon flour
• Oil for frying

Directions