Sushi reader letter confusion

[emilycat]

I'm a bit baffled -- I seem to have lost my head today, since I've posted a "confused" thread twice. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif

In CL's May reader letters, the editor's answer to a question about vegetarian sushi stated that California Rolls were vegetarian. Are there different varieties of California Rolls that don't include crab?

[aggie94]

Emily,

I have seen California rolls made only with veggies (cucumbers, avocado, carrots, etc.) and ginger. I mostly see them with crab, but I have seen them without.

[This message has been edited by aggie94 (edited 04-25-2001).]

[catharine]

I guess they consider the imitation crab vegetarian, although I looked it up in the Wellness Encyclopdiea of Food and Nutrtion, and imitatation crab (also known as Surimi) is made from fish products.

I have a slightly off topic thing to throw into this thread: on another thread I read that one shouldn't eat the ginger that comes with sushi/rolls. I was mortified because I have always eaten (and enjoyed) the pickeled ginger. Anyhow, I have subsequently asked about this at two different sushi places and both times I was told that eating the ginger is entirely appropriate. Any thoughts?

[dearamy]

Catherine,
My only thought is yikes! I always eat all of my ginger & usually that of my companion. I love it!

[aggie94]

What was the reason for not eating the ginger? I've often seen it included inside the rolls, or on the side, and while I don't eat it, I've always understood that it was fine to eat if you wanted to.

And why on earth would anyone consider imitation crab to be vegetarian? I do realize that a lot of vegetarians still eat seafood, but imitation crab (which is just fish) is no more vegetarian than regular sushi made with fish or shrimp!

[dearamy]

And Emily,

I have had vegetarian California Rolls. They are delicious, but I prefer the ones with crab. My fiancee likes the veggie ones best.

[CheerLiz]

I've never seen a California roll without crab -- I was also surprised at that post, but I figured that we might be a bit backwards all the way up here in NH. I love the kappa rolls and the house vegetable rolls...I'm not a big fan of raw fish, but my husband loves it. I love the sticky rice, though!

But I think the #1 reason to eat sushi in the first place IS the ginger!! I could eat a plate of just ginger and wasabi all by myself. And I'm not even pregnant!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[jd]

I had sushi take out for dinner tonight! I've seen some people eat a piece of ginger with each piece of sushi. I usually eat mine at the end (like dessert). What do all you sushi fans do?

[BosunsWife]

I eat mine when I'm done with my sushi. It kind of cleans the palate. I also though ginger was a type of digestive?

[emilycat]

Another ginger fanatic here! I always eat the ginger with my sushi -- to h$&^ with convention! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

Seriously, everyone I've ever eaten it with, including a few aficianados who are more knowledgeable about it than I am, devour the ginger along with the sushi, as well. Why the heck would it be served if you're not supposed to eat it??

[michelern]

I personally have never heard about "not eating the ginger" When my DH and I eat sushi, he eats all of the ginger including mine...I'm not a pickled ginger fan unfortunately....Now after reading this post, I do believe I want sushi tonight http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[catharine]

The orginial post about ginger was on a thread about embarassing things. Someone commented that she didn't know that she was only supposed to chew the ginger in between pieces and then spit it out.

I am glad to hear that you all love the ginger like I do. Okay...I feel better now http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Thanks.

[lorilei]

I wonder if there's simply been a bit of miscommunication about the ginger -- since you don't actually eat the ginger *with* the sushi...

The ginger is more or less a palate cleanser for between the different types of sushi. I find that it really does help my tastebuds to sense the nuances of each piece (and it's great for digestion besides). This is generally how I eat my ginger... although if there's any left at the end of the meal, I'll usually eat it "for dessert" http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif