Pickled Fish Question

[jig-em]

Caught some northerns on Sunday. Had a recipe for pickling and have got the finished product in jars. My question is...did the bones disinegrate yet, or do I have to wait? I did this many years ago and it turned out great, but I think I waited a few weeks and there were absolutely no bones.

jig-em

[hunt4food]

Yes. It is best to wait a couple of weeks for them to dissolve entirely.

[efgh]

Soak the cut up pieces in salt water for 24-36 hrs, take out and rince fish off, put back in container and cover with white vinegar for 24-36 hrs, the bones will now be soft, continue pickling.

[metrojoe]

I've made quite a few jars this year and all of them have been ready to eat in 7 days. The sooner you eat it after the bones dissolve the better. It takes about 2 to 3 weeks but the fish will start to get a little mushy.

[jig-em]

Thanks to all that replied. I'll wait, like everyone says, and have some with Easter Brunch!!

jig-em

[muskybuck]

Is it true your supposed to freeze them for a couple weeks before you pickle them to kill off whatever needs to be killed?

[LABS4ME]

I've always been taught to freeze fish before smoking or pickling, to make sure all parasites and their eggs are killed. I've read that especially their eggs can survive the pickling process and also smoking if the meat doesn't get above 165 degrees. 24 hours of freezing kills them all. That's what I've gathered from the past... anyone else?

Good Luck!

Ken

[efgh]

Right on on the freezing time for fish, when smoking fish when you think they are about 3/4 hr. from being done, turn the heat up too 200 degrees for 1 hr, this will kill all the parisites and dry the fish out a little more and the finished fish will keep a lot longer.

[P.DONA]

Is that how you mostly eat northerns?? I"ve never kept any because they are so boney.

Do you guys have an exact procedure on how to pickle fish???

[BAIT956]

P.DONA, run the "search" feature on Sharing Recipes under the subject, "pickled fish".

Coldone posted a recipe on 3/12/03 which I have used a number of times with great results. It will lay out the entire process for you.