In Search of Banga Mary

What is Banga Mary you ask? Well, if you've never had this fish, you're surely missing out. On our Easter trip to Guyana last year, after we went to fly kites with the kids on the seawall, I promptly instructed Mike to stop at the Fish Shop on the way back. I got a few boxes of Fish and Chips to take home so that everybody could have some.

In Guyana, our Fish and Chips are very different to what is commonly known in the US. The fish is usually Banga Mary fillets seasoned to perfection and deep fried. The chips are not potato chips or even french fries! Nope, our chips are Plantains YUM! So each meal comes in a box with Fish, Chips and a small parcel of lettuce & cucumber topped with mayonnaise, pepper sauce and ketchup. Talk about 'slap yo mama good!' This is a favorite of EVERYBODY, so we had to be light with the portions due to three extra visitors that day, but miraculously everyone got a plate and with a glass of the passion fruit drink my aunt Karen made, we were all satisfied.

Late last year, around October when my sister was still in Guyana, we were chatting and she told me how she hardly cooks. 'Me and the kids just go get fish and chips every night or at least every other night' she said. 'Man don't talk bout that Shoney, you know how much I like that thing man!' I complained. She continued to agonize me by describing the freshness of the fish and the medley of the tastes.

At the point, I was fed up, I had to find some Banga Mary Somewhere, Somehow, so I set out to the internet for my search. I called up several Banga Mary importers in New York to find out about ordering the fish in bulk. What was I gonna do with 30 pounds of fish you ask? I was going to distribute to my family here is Georgia whom I know would be happy to accept. Well a few phone calls later and I was left with a 'screw face' disappointed that I couldn't get the break through. One last number on my list and a man named David with an English accent answered the phone. I inquired about the Banga and to my surprise he said they would be able to ship to me. "Oh YES, YES YES!" I exclaimed with excitement. "But right now the Banga is not in season" He responded. What? How the heck could Banga be 'out of season? Don't fish swim year round?' I couldn't wrapped my head around that, but I let it be. David did provide me with a glimmer of hope though, he said that he would keep my number and reach out to me once he got a shipment in. Well it's been almost four months later and still no call from David.

I am still in search for my Banga Mary. This weekend I plan to go to a different farmers market per my moms suggestion because they have more exotic offerings. If I only find Banga Mary in this market, somebody better be there to hold me down because I'm jumping for joy all the way to checkout.

Wish me luck you guys, because I would love to share my fish and chips recipe and well as my Banga Bary salad. I mean, what's the sense of my site being named 'Banga Mary' with no actual Banga Mary recipes? It would totally and completely defeat the purpose. Hopefully I dont have to wait until I go all the way back to Guyana to find my Banga! Cheers!