In Belgium, it is very common to find mussels extremely accessible. The reason is because the dish moules-frites has been a part of Belgian cuisine dating back to 1781. Mussels would be prepared typically during the winter as there was a shortage of fish. Mussels were a cheap alternative to the staple food of fish.
Recently, this famous dish has been gaining a popularity. About 60,000 tons of these mollusks are consumed in a year in Belgium alone. They were once considered a poor man's meat, but are now referred to as "black gold."
I really enjoyed both dishes my family had ordered. We started with an appetizer of mussels escargot. They were mussels served half-shell with sweet onions. I found this dish much more interesting than the more traditional pot of mussels I tried with dinner. I had never had mussels served escargot style. I thought this tasted better because it had, basically, just onions on the mussels. It was a welcomed surprise.
Recently, this famous dish has been gaining a popularity. About 60,000 tons of these mollusks are consumed in a year in Belgium alone. They were once considered a poor man's meat, but are now referred to as "black gold."
I really enjoyed both dishes my family had ordered. We started with an appetizer of mussels escargot. They were mussels served half-shell with sweet onions. I found this dish much more interesting than the more traditional pot of mussels I tried with dinner. I had never had mussels served escargot style. I thought this tasted better because it had, basically, just onions on the mussels. It was a welcomed surprise.