Scandinavians! Help me indulge my love of herring.
January 18, 2011 8:24 AM Subscribe
Scandinavians! Help me indulge my love of herring.
A few weeks ago I fell in love with pickled herring, in the form of rollmops (by far the most common way of eating them here in the UK).
I WANT MORE HERRING!
The various wikipedia pages suggest a positive, er, smorgasbord of different styles and dishes across Scandenavia, but don't give many names and can't recommend those that will travel/ship well.
So, if you lived in the UK and wanted the finest clupeoacetic delicacies, what would you ask for, how would you spell it and where would you get it from?
A few weeks ago I fell in love with pickled herring, in the form of rollmops (by far the most common way of eating them here in the UK).
I WANT MORE HERRING!
The various wikipedia pages suggest a positive, er, smorgasbord of different styles and dishes across Scandenavia, but don't give many names and can't recommend those that will travel/ship well.
So, if you lived in the UK and wanted the finest clupeoacetic delicacies, what would you ask for, how would you spell it and where would you get it from?
Orkney Herring are way better than any other rollmops I've had.
posted by scruss at 8:58 AM on January 18, 2011
posted by scruss at 8:58 AM on January 18, 2011
It's not Scandinavian, but Dutch herring that have been packed in salt are called maatjes (or maatjesharing). You can order them online.
posted by neushoorn at 9:02 AM on January 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by neushoorn at 9:02 AM on January 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
In Chicago they have a Swedish restaurant that serves a Julbord feast around Christmas. They have 8 varieties of herring, a list of which you can peruse here.
I think they are all delicious, but my favorite are Mustard Herring, Herbed Herring, and the afformentioned maatjes heering. You might also want to check out Gravlax (or Gravad Lax), which isn't pickled, but has a similar texture to herring. (It's salmon, so that might not be to your taste.)
I would recommend checking out Scandanavian restaurants in your area, and when the holidays roll around again, go to a Julbord feast. According to Google, they have a few in London each year. (Don't know if that's where your from.)
posted by baxter_ilion at 9:34 AM on January 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
I think they are all delicious, but my favorite are Mustard Herring, Herbed Herring, and the afformentioned maatjes heering. You might also want to check out Gravlax (or Gravad Lax), which isn't pickled, but has a similar texture to herring. (It's salmon, so that might not be to your taste.)
I would recommend checking out Scandanavian restaurants in your area, and when the holidays roll around again, go to a Julbord feast. According to Google, they have a few in London each year. (Don't know if that's where your from.)
posted by baxter_ilion at 9:34 AM on January 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
IKEA. You can usually buy "Abbas sill" at IKEA. One of the few items they sell which do not require assembly.
posted by three blind mice at 9:34 AM on January 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by three blind mice at 9:34 AM on January 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Seconding the Orkney Herring. I am now spoiled for life; Orkney herring is miles better than anything I can get in the USA.
posted by The otter lady at 10:18 AM on January 18, 2011
posted by The otter lady at 10:18 AM on January 18, 2011
Best answer: Your rollmops may have been what the locals call "Bismarck" herring here on the German Baltic coast. These are herring pickled in white vinegar with some herbs (chopped onion, mustard seeds, bay leaves etc) with it's skin still on. They are commonly eaten as rollmops, in small bread rolls, or in salads.
The other kinds you get here are "matjes", "brathering" and "bückling". Matjes are young herring that have been soaked (pickled?) in brine for a few days, before marinading in something less salty before eating (often red wine, or a light vinegar with herbs). Brathering are herring that are fried first, then pickled in vinegar as with Bismarck. Bückling is herring that has first been soaked in brine, then smoked. I suppose these are pretty similar to kippers - I'm not so keen on those because they are usually a bit bony. Matjes are my favourite!
As far as I'm aware these are available throughout the the former Hanseatic areas. I've had very similar things in Sweden, Denmark and Holland. So perhaps you can broaden your geographical search pattern.
In terms of getting hold of these delicacies in the UK, Ikea's Swedish offerings are pretty good. I bought a 3-pack of herring marinaded in different sauces that was particularly nice. I was particularly fond of the mustardy one. I'm sure that Lidl has some good ones too (seriously). They will be in cans and/or jars. I've tried the ones in cans and they are fine.
I suspect most German restaurants in the UK lean towards southern-style so you might struggle there. For Swedish restaurants try Scandinavian Kitchen next time you're in London (it's near Oxford Circus). They claim to serve 18 different kinds of herring in their open sandwiches.
Finally, remember to get some good schnapps/aquavit to wash it down with.
posted by jonesor at 2:29 PM on January 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
The other kinds you get here are "matjes", "brathering" and "bückling". Matjes are young herring that have been soaked (pickled?) in brine for a few days, before marinading in something less salty before eating (often red wine, or a light vinegar with herbs). Brathering are herring that are fried first, then pickled in vinegar as with Bismarck. Bückling is herring that has first been soaked in brine, then smoked. I suppose these are pretty similar to kippers - I'm not so keen on those because they are usually a bit bony. Matjes are my favourite!
As far as I'm aware these are available throughout the the former Hanseatic areas. I've had very similar things in Sweden, Denmark and Holland. So perhaps you can broaden your geographical search pattern.
In terms of getting hold of these delicacies in the UK, Ikea's Swedish offerings are pretty good. I bought a 3-pack of herring marinaded in different sauces that was particularly nice. I was particularly fond of the mustardy one. I'm sure that Lidl has some good ones too (seriously). They will be in cans and/or jars. I've tried the ones in cans and they are fine.
I suspect most German restaurants in the UK lean towards southern-style so you might struggle there. For Swedish restaurants try Scandinavian Kitchen next time you're in London (it's near Oxford Circus). They claim to serve 18 different kinds of herring in their open sandwiches.
Finally, remember to get some good schnapps/aquavit to wash it down with.
posted by jonesor at 2:29 PM on January 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
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posted by JohnFredra at 8:39 AM on January 18, 2011