May 16 2008
Nova
Nova is short for Nova Scotia salmon that my kids love. The lox (salmon fillet cured in salt) is thinly sliced, served on bagels with cream cheese (they don’t like capers). Mine like to have it for breakfast. Few years ago, it’s only $28 per lb now $34. The other day I went to Murray’s on Broadway at 90th Street, one of my favored bagel shop in New York, their top line Nova costs $38. Long ago, since I discovered that my kids love for lox, one day there was a sale at supermarket for $9.99 a pound. Heaven, I lugged one home. They cheerfully descended on the fish, then quickly abandoned their bagels. “Mom, it taste funny ..” Guess in their polite form, telling me it tasted bad. Thought I found a bargain!
Murray’s been there for a long time. I would shop there whenever I’m in the area. The other day I went there ago. While waiting, I chatted with one behind the counter. Lox is the wider term - German word for salmon, Nova is one of lox that’s less salty and more expensive. Lox is favored by Ashkenazic Jewish. Eastern smoked Nova is a style “not referring to Nova Scotia since there isn’t a fish comes from Nova Scotia for few decades.” As there is Scottish style which is saltier. Most salmon (for lox) are from Faroe Islands (Norway), and used to fm Gastade (??) Alaska - but no more due to pollution 25 years ago (Prince William Sound oil spill in 1989?).
Confused? Ok, just ask for Nova if you have the urge, since most bagel shops would only have one kind of Nova (Murray’s has three or four).