Xapoto Nuttana (Za-pa-to Nut-tan-ah)
Made from Fish and Berries, smoked using the root of a Snarlwood tree and added to a stew of many spices. This dish is used in the Coming of Age rituals of the Aluit people of the far north and south of Illicid.
"I once had the privilege of sharing in a traditional Aluit Rite where they served a dish of stewed piscus. It was clear from their faces that this dish was not made often and that they were going to enjoy every bite. It had an intriguing aroma, that of pine and berries. It was an odd smell given what I was looking at.
History
This dish has been part of the Coming of Age rituals for the Aluit people for as long as their memories go back. It is also one of the only times that they will eat meat. While typically seen as wasteful or harmful to the ecology around them, this ancient celebration warrants a proper feast!
While the exact composition of the dish varies from tribe to tribe the dish is commonly made using a smoked red fish, such as the salmon found in the great rivers flowwing to the seas, an assortment of common berries, as well as roots and spices that are freshly harvested and ground specifically for this dish. Its served in a vegetable broth thickened with potatoes. Once the broth has stewed the vegetables are removed, mashed, and mixed in with more potatoes and whatever leftover spices remain from the stew.
Observance
The Coming of Age rituals that this dish is common at are frequently observed on the first Full Moon of Autumn, after the first snow has touched the ground. By waiting until the snow has arrived it is less likely that the additional indulgence will cause harm to the land due to the impending winter. The stew also serves as a welcome warmth in the chilly first days of the new season.
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