Karasumi (dried mullet roe) - Karasumi

Japanese: からすみ（鱲子） - からすみ

This is dried, salted mullet ovaries. In China, it is written as "子" and seems to have been made since ancient times. It is so named because the shape of the dried ovaries resembles Chinese ink. The ovaries are removed from the mullet's abdomen, washed with water, rubbed with salt, and put into a barrel. After about five days, the eggs will have set. The ovaries are gently massaged in fresh water to soften them and remove the salt, then drained and laid out on boards to dry. They are brought inside at night and lightly pressed to shape. This process is repeated for seven to ten days until they are finished. They are caramel-colored and can be sliced thinly to be used as fish for sake.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

ボラの卵巣の塩乾品。中国では〈子〉などと書き，古くから作られていたようである。干し上げた形が唐墨に似ているためこの名がある。ボラの腹からとり出した卵巣を水洗いし，食塩をすりこんで樽につめ，5日ほどすると卵がしまってくる。これを淡水中で軽くもんで軟らかくしながら塩抜きをし，水を切って板に並べて干す。夜は屋内にとりこみ，軽い押しをかけて成形する。これを7～10日繰り返して仕上げる。あめ色をしており，薄く切って酒のさかななどにする。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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