Mention shutki to any brown person and you will receive one of the following reactions: 1) a sympathetic head shake as the person mourns with you the creation of this pungent, horrid dried fish or 2) an enthusiastic and hungry look as the person assumes that you will now feed them this delicious treat.
The mixed reactions is one of the more interesting parts of Bengali culture, at least in my mind. It's the greatest example of the shift in generations as ever. Older Bengalis love this food because it reminds them of home, of the war and their survival of it. They are proud to have their own smell.
Younger Bengalis hate it because...well it smells like dried fish. It's also a reminder of Bangladesh, something associated with restrictions. No matter which way they look at shutki, it doesn't have the deeper meaning it has for older Bengalis.
These morsels or terrible packets of awful can be found at your local shady brown store. Just ask the creepy manager and he'll lead to the treasure/terror with a smile on his wrinkled face.
Remember, you can enjoy these whenever, but preferabbly near brown people spot, like Brick Lane, so you can enjoy the compliments of many.
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