Cookbook:Smoked Eulachons

Smoked Eulachons
Category	Fish recipes
Difficulty

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Smoked eulachons is a common method for preparing eulachons. When smoked, eulachons provide an excellent source of fat, protein, iron, and riboflavin. Eulachon and eulachon grease are also an excellent source of vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids.

Ingredients

• Fresh eulachons
• Coarse salt

Procedure

1. Wash the eulachons well under running water.
2. In a barrel, mix a brine solution of water and enough salt to make a potato float. A good ratio is 2 cups (500 ml) coarse salt in 3 gallons (12 litres) water. Add the fish.
3. Soak for about ½–1 hour, or until the fish eyes turn white.
4. Hang the eulachons for smoking by threading on cedar sticks. Push the strip of red cedar in through the gills and out through the mouth. Usually 12–25 eulachons are put on each stick.
5. Hang the sticks from the rafters in a smokehouse, making sure the fish are not touching each other. There needs to be enough space between each rack and the fish so that the smoke is even.
6. Let the fish finish dripping, then start the smoking fire with alder wood.
7. Smoke the eulachon for 2–6 days. Smoke longer to make drier fish.

Notes, tips, and variations

• Half-smoked eulachons (i.e., left one to two days in the smokehouse) may be canned for storage.