“Don’t Say I Didn’t Plug You”: Bizarre Pickled Fish Alternative Amuses South Africans

• An alleged cash-strapped individual suggested fish fingers as a pickled fish alternative for Easter meals
• The post, shared on April Fool's Day, sparked a mix of humour and astonishment in the community
• Online commenters proposed their own quirky alternatives to traditional pickled fish recipes

With food prices continuously climbing and Easter traditions becoming increasingly expensive for average South Africans, a supposed cash-strapped individual found a way to save money while making pickled fish. However, instead of using a regular medallion of firm, white fish, the person suggested an 'affordable' alternative: fish fingers.

The Cape Flats Stories Facebook page posted that, according to a 'friend,' the popular kids' snack could easily replace snoek, and one could pretend that that was what they were eating.

"Don't say I didn't plug you."

While the above may have many people believing that it's true, the post was shared on 1 April 2026, better known as April Fool's Day, a day of sometimes believable jokes and pranks. So, would you try this bizarre alternative?

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"Never too old to learn something new": Woman shares grandpa's OG pickled fish recipe for Easter

Take a look at the photo posted on Facebook below:

Why eat pickled fish over Easter?

According to Al Jazeera, eating pickled fish during Eastertime stems from a Christian tradition where people would exclude meat from their menus and only consume fish. While the dish is linked to the holy Christian events of Good Friday and Easter Monday, the above-mentioned publication states that Muslims and other faiths also indulge in the meal.

Weird pickled fish alternative humours Mzansi

Several people online were stunned to see the alternative, not knowing that the person behind the post could have been cracking an April Fool's joke. Others went along and suggested whackier alternatives.

Vinoda Urisohn noted with humour:

"I'm making six batches of pickled fish: yellowtail, sharkfin, crayfish tails, perlemoen, galjoen and swordfish. I'm just waiting for the ship to come."

Zelda James told the online community:

"One only makes pickled fish once a year. If you spend money on other things, you can make provision to buy fish."

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A disgusted Carol Williams Ruach said:

"Eww! That soggy texture will make me nauseous."

Robin Walpole asked in the comment section:

"Have you seen the price of fish fingers?"

Jenni-Di Martin-Brown shared with the public:

"I am going to put prawns in my curry sauce. My choice this year!"

3 Other stories about odd recipes

• In another article, Briefly News reported that a woman prepared stewed oats for her boyfriend. Her controversial recipe, in which she used Jungle Oats, had people wondering why she would think of such an odd combination.
• A young man from the United Kingdom had many people feeling nauseous when he created Weet-Bix vetkoeks. Although the dish was his birthday meal, South Africans were not pleased with what they saw.
• A woman experimented with baked bean pancakes, an unusual recipe that sparked lively debates. While some internet users admired her creativity, others joked about how they wouldn't try it themselves.

Source: Briefly News