Ever wonder how they make sushi rolls?
Fifteen youths at the Dolores Public Library got to learn how Tuesday during a tutorial by Brandon Shubert, owner and chef of Stonefish Sushi and More in Cortez.
The technique is rooted in Japanese tradition, and must be taken seriously, Shubert told the attentive, fidgety group of kids.
“When making sushi tradition is a big deal, and it must be done a certain way,” he said.
“It takes lots of practice.”
Sushi means sweet or seasoned rice, and its origins go back a millennium. As the food evolved, fish and vegetables were added. Vinegar, sugar, and salt are mixed into the rice for flavor and as a preservative.
Sushi became popular in American in the 1960s, especially the California Roll, a combination of cucumber, imitation crab meat (white fish) and avocado. The roll was actually invented in Vancouver, Shubert said.
“Maybe they should call it the Canada roll,” quipped one child. “Why does seaweed smell bad, but taste so good,” observed another.
Preparation stations need to be orderly, Shubert continued. Ingredients are arranged on a bamboo maki mat that is used in the traditional inside-out roll technique.
Sticky rice is carefully spread on a flattened rectangle of seaweed. “Don’t squish the rice,” Shubert warned, then the form is flipped over.
Ingredients are added, and then the tricky roll-up using the bamboo mat. The classic sushi roll emerges with an outer coating of rice, and layers of goodness underneath.
Little fingers fumbled with the roll, and Shubert patiently helped each student get it right. Before long, each kid was marveling at their own California roll.
“It’s not as easy as I thought it would be,” said Gabe Speece. “I plan to make it on my own now.”
They were shown proper knife handling. They carefully cut the rolls into pieces, added pickled ginger and wasabi, then had lunch.
“It was fun. I like how he showed each step,” said Cody Farias. “I always wanted to try making sushi, and will definitely do it again.”
The program is part of a series for local youths to learn about other cultures through food, said Shaine Gans, youth services coordinator for the Dolores Public Library.
“We’ve done food for Cinco de Mayo, Chinese New Year, chocolate,” she said.
“The kids love it, and it exposes them to different types of foods and the countries they come from.”
For more information about kids’ events at the Dolores Public Library, visit the kids’ events section on the library website. Stonefish Sushi and More is located at 16 W. Main St.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com