Page 70 - Book-TradiAliCulture-Belgium

Because of these practices, a tax was imposed on fishing. As time went by,

factories grew along the canals and discharged there their waste. Gradually, fish died
out. In a restocking attempt of those waterways, Belgium even banned fishing in
canals during a three-month period (from the beginning of April to the beginning of
June). The fish-Waterzooï became less and less eaten due to rarefaction of fish in
the canals.

If at first especially poor people ate this fish-based dish, when the cities began
their industrialization, the Ghent-middle class seized this delicious dish as its own. It
became the family’s Sunday treat. However, it was necessary to stand out of the
working class. That’s why chicken replaced fish in the famous recipe which took the
name of “The Ghent Waterzooï”.

At about the same time, the diffusion of the Waterzooï recipe would have been
ensured by the Belgian chef Philippe-Edouard Cauderlier (1812-1887) who, thanks to
his writings, would have assured its international fame at the beginning of the
twentieth century.

The Tradition :

Since the nineteenth century, it became a tradition: the Ghent middle class used to
eat “the Ghent Waterzooï” every Sunday in the family. It is essentially tasted in the
winter. This dish is served in a tureen and is eaten in a simple soup plate with a
spoon.

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