Marinated Smelt

Appetizers | Russian cuisine

⏳ Time

13 hours + 7 days

🥕 Ingredients

🍽️ Servings

Description

Marinated smelt

Ingredients

Smelt - 3 lbs
Sugar - 7.1 oz
Mustard Greens - 1 tablespoon
Apple Wine - 3 fl oz
Clove - 1 tablespoon
Cilantro - 1 tablespoon
Ground Black Pepper - 1 tablespoon
Grated Ginger Root - 1 tablespoon
Bay leaf - 2 pieces
Onion - 1 head
Lemon - 1 piece
Salt - 14.1 oz
Champagne Vinegar - 20 fl oz

Step by Step guide

Step 1

Prepare a brine using 400 grams of salt and five liters of water, and pour it over the previously well-washed and dried smelt (for this, it is best to use an enameled, glass, or plastic container). Cover with a lid or seal with plastic wrap and leave in the refrigerator for twelve hours (or, for example, overnight).

Step 2

Remove the fish and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water for ten to fifteen minutes.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, combine the wine vinegar, sugar, and wine. Add the mustard seeds, ginger, coriander, as well as half of the allspice and half of the cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer on low heat for ten to twelve minutes. Then add the fish and cook it in the marinade for another five minutes, being careful not to let the liquid boil too vigorously.

Step 4

Turn off the heat and let the fish cool to room temperature without removing it from the marinade. Then transfer the smelt to a glass canning jar (you may need more than one jar, depending on their size) and add the remaining allspice, cloves, bay leaves, as well as thinly sliced onion and lemon wedges.

Step 5

Strain the remaining marinade through a fine sieve, discarding all the spices. Pour the marinade over the fish, then seal the jars and refrigerate for at least a week.