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... why is so hard to buy one?
Herring is a very unpopular fish in the US.
When you go to a store, to the fish aisle - tuna is the king. Tuna in oil, tuna in light oil and tuna in water. Sometimes in tomato. Sooooo boring! There might be a can or two of salmon and mackerel, perhaps few sardines, a trout if you're lucky and that generally covers the fish assortment. Everything it's in oil or water. Lately mostly water. Few in tomato, or smoked.
All good, but there is more fish in the water. What about herring, bullhead, cod, pollock, sprats, flounder, pilchard... etc. Or smoked eel?
I love pickles herring, but it's almost impossible to buy where I live.
I love it too. Most all local grocery stores carry it here as well as herring in cream sauce. What I really miss is the pickled boiling onions that were available in Maryland. Cocktail onions have the same flavor, but are so tiny.
i sell three different brands of pickled herring..
80% of the grocery stores in maine do sell them
I use to give them away as stocking stuffers.... (little jars, like baby food jars)
its funny its like dried/salted cod fillets...…..you'd think most of the buyers would be old people....but for whatever reason the pickled herring are making a slight comeback....
20 years ago id have guessed they'd go the way of the canned ham.... and slowly die
I love it too. Most all local grocery stores carry it here as well as herring in cream sauce. What I really miss is the pickled boiling onions that were available in Maryland. Cocktail onions have the same flavor, but are so tiny.
I grew up with eating it all the time. My dad always had some in the fridge it seems. We especially enjoyed it when we had company. That was before the days of so many appetizers available. Our son in law, who was raised in a Jewish family also loves pickled herring but we hardly ever get it anymore. That is the price we pay for living in the sticks. I might actually pick some up when we are out Monday if I can find some.
I grew up with eating it all the time. My dad always had some in the fridge it seems. We especially enjoyed it when we had company. That was before the days of so many appetizers available. Our son in law, who was raised in a Jewish family also loves pickled herring but we hardly ever get it anymore. That is the price we pay for living in the sticks. I might actually pick some up when we are out Monday if I can find some.
Walmart, Aldi, Costco, .... You get the jarred stuff just about everywhere. Unfortunately matjes seem to be inexistent. At least I have never found them.
I come from pickled herring country.
What they sell here in stores is vinegar nightmare. It is as far from what pickled herring tastes, as it could be.
Find a Russian deli. You can buy real barrel marinated herring there. Then look up how to make it with onions and sour cream. THAT is herring. Good 'ol Polish delicacy. I'd not buy anything in jars in those stores either, as preservatives ruin taste. That herring is DIY dish. Or, make famous "shooba", "fir coat" salad with barrel herring. Very healthy and super delicious.
In say TN, they wouldn't even put barrel herring on display at Russian store. It'd push customers away. Yes, there is something with the US and fish... many call it catfood and won't even consider.
Chicago has a huge Polish population, and pickled herring is a popular food in Poland. Which means I can find pickled herring in any Polish supermarket, and even a higher-end mainstream supermarket, like Mariano's. It comes packed in sunflower oil, in tomato sauce, in vinegar, and in sour cream with onions. I eat it pretty often, with rye bread; most commonly as an appetizer before dinner, but pretty much at any meal, except breakfast on weekdays.
Look for a Polish supermarket. Being a Catholic country, Poland has a long history of fish-based dishes. Not to mention the strong influence from Russia, which also eats a lot of fish. If you don't mind trekking to Miami, it has large Russian and Jewish populations, which means local supermarkets carry their foods.
Well, I live in the sticks. And I could find three different brands of pickled herring in one store--although here they are kept in the refrigerated section with the refrigerated pickles, or at the fish counter. I love the stuff! My grandma & I used to crack open a jar of Ma Bensch's & enjoy with Ritz crackers. My mother makes a pickled fish that is very similar in flavor. Lucky me!
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