In kitchens across Bihar and Bengal, the mere mention of kachki fish is enough to make mouths water, fried up with steamed rice and dal, this tiny fish can vanish off the plate within minutes. The trouble begins the moment it needs cleaning. Because each fish is so small, washing away the mud, leaves and grass tangled among them takes real patience, which is also why vendors in the market never sell it pre-cleaned or cut. The good news is that a handful of simple kitchen tricks can get a kilogram of kachki spotlessly clean in just a few minutes.
Soak and rinse to wash away mud and grass
The simplest method starts with a good soak. Kachki fish usually carries bits of mud, dried leaves and grass caught between them. Tip the whole batch into a large bowl of water and let it sit for a while. The dirt and grass will soon start floating to the surface. Rub the fish gently with your hands and whatever grime remains will also rise up. Pour out that water, transfer the fish to a fresh bowl, and rinse away any mud left at the bottom of the first bowl. Washing the fish four to five times in clean water leaves it completely spotless.
Rice-rinsing water works like magic
Leftover water from washing rice is another effective cleaner for kachki. Soak the fish in it for about 10 minutes. This loosens the outer layer and smell on the fish while softening any stuck-on dirt so it comes off easily. After soaking, rinse the fish twice in plain water, changing the water each time. By the end of this, the fish is completely clean and free of odour.
Scrub it against a vegetable-washing basket
A perforated basket normally used for washing vegetables also does the job well. Place all the fish in it and rub them gently against the small holes. This scrapes off the outer layer and dirt clinging to the fish and removes the sliminess too. The method is also effective at cutting down the fish's smell.
A salt-and-lemon rub for a fresher finish
Just before the final wash, rub a little salt and lemon juice onto the fish and let it sit for about two minutes. Then rinse it gently with water. This combination of salt and lemon strips away the dirt, sliminess and odour all at once. Because kachki fish is extremely delicate and soft, avoid scrubbing it too hard, or the fish will break apart completely. Use a light hand through the entire process.
