Preparing the fish boil.
For those not from Wisconsin and unknowing of what a fish boil is, it is a simple-ingredient but elaborate presentation meal. It consists primarily of locally-caught fish, red potatos, and boiling water (some add onions) and is seasoned only by salt.
Again, the cooking of the fish is an elaborate presentation. The fish and potatoes are placed in a cast-iron kettle and when the water comes to a boil, the potatoes and fish (in separate wire baskets) are lowered in.
The boil-over
When the fish oils rise to the top of the pot, the boiler will add a small amount of kerosene to the flames. The increase in flames will cause a boilover, with flames several feet high. Besides the delicious meal, watching these massive flames ignite is a pleasurable part of the fish boil experience and many restaurants ask customers to come early to watch. But once the boilover occurs, voila! the fish is done.
