Door County Fish Boils
Door County is famous for Fish Boils although some people, such as myself, don't understand the popularity. Kind of reminds me of stew and, when I go out to eat, I'm not looking for stew. Give me a fried, broiled or baked whitefish any day. Either you like boiled fish or you don't, I guess.
It is quite a show that they put on when they start a big fire underneath huge black pots filled with salty water. When the water is the right temperature, the cook puts a steel basket with potatoes and onions and such into the pot and cooks them at a very high temperature. Then the cook puts another basket into the pot and this one has the Whitefish chunks in it.
The whole dull process of boiling fish is made spectacular because, just as the whole mess is just about finished cooking, the cook throws some kerosene on the fire. This causes a big flare up of the flames which, in turn, causes the water in the pot to boil up over the sides of the pot. This serves two purposes: the fish oil that has accumulated on top of the water is washed over the side and the water going over the sides of the pot, puts out the flames. All probably not necessary at all but a great display which the willing customers gather around to view.