Yes!!! We have our 'nieuwe haring' (new herring) again!!!! Vlaggetjesdag (Small flags day) - I thought it was referring to the small toothpicks - with a paper Dutch flag attached to it- which sometimes come with the herring. But... traditionally you eat (raw) herring like this: Originally though ' Vlaggetjesdag' was the Friday before Whitsun. All boats fully decorated with small Dutch flags, would be in the harbour. The day after, on Saturday, fishing boats would leave the port to catch the herring.

Nowadays, ' Vlaggetjesdag' is the day when the first cask of new herring is presented in the harbour and sold for a very high price.

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The passion for raw herring is one of the rare things that visitors to Holland (and, whisper it quietly, many Dutch people too) often fail to appreciate. Yet, while herring may lack the sophistication of sushi, it is similarly central to this country’s culture, and entwined with its history and custom. One ritual pertaining to herring is Vlaggetjesdag Scheveningen.

Like so many other things in the Netherlands, the herring seems routine at first glance, with its indistinct size and shape and unceremonious manner of preparation and consumption. Scratch the surface, however, and you find a rich history and many exotic rituals connected to this fish. For instance, herring has traditionally been eaten salted in Holland; this includes a special gutting process which, according to tradition, was invented by Willem Beukelszoon in 1380. When herring is gutted, the pancreas is not removed, so that special pancreatic enzymes let the fish ripen. Yes, that sounds good doesn’t it! http://www.vlaggetjesdag.com/index.php?id=19 ____

Raw herring, looks good, but no thanks! lol

hehe yes sounds good,but don't think it tickles my taste buds,but like other cuisines around the world one never knows with out tasting first.

Actually, I like raw herring if pickled in sour cream!

Not my cup of tea LOL

Lekkerrrrrrrrrrrrrr haring

Afook: it doesn't only look good, it's delicious!

BJ: you have the right attitude...!

Ghee: haha.. you know the secrets of the herring

Nicky: next time you'll find yourself eating it

Mike: Pickled herring is very delicious too, esspecially when you're ill, I should bring it to you eh?

Alex: better with beer, not tea lol

Suda: you are practically Dutch already!!

Beer is also not one of my favourites

very delicious it is indeed with a nice beer yummyyyyyyy

Alex: Then drink white wine or anything will do, but not tea!

Kenny: you know it!

Lekker lekker.... umm yummie I miss it Joeri

Well: come and get it Nu

Raw but not alive right?

I think I can try that

I think you could learn to love eating herring! And no no... not alive Jang!

interesting, if i ever go to Holland i must try some for sure!