Every year people are awaiting the first fresh, young herring called 'Hollandse Nieuwe' Herring is eaten raw and, because back in the days they could not freeze it, is salted. The longer they had to conserve the catch, the more salt was used. To mask the salty flavor the fishmonger used to serve the herring with some sliced onion. Out of custom most Dutch people still eat their herring with onion.
