Smoked Smelts

[Rivermagic]

Hi smokers,

Smelt ice fishing is popular in winter around Nova Scotia along our Atlantic coastal harbours and inlets. Smoked smelts are delicious. The little fish were once called candle fish because, when dried, they have enough oil to burn like a candle.

My Bradley will smoke 4 dozen at a time, and Alder smoke is preferred.

The cure is 1 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup salt, and 1 qt. cranberry juice for a few hrs or overnight. Smoking gives them a gorgeous golden colour. Hot smoke to desired dryness.

Regards, Stillwater Slim
www.rivermagic.ca

[beefmann]

welcome aboard , enjoy,, there are a lot of people around here that  smoke fish  so you  can ask questions and trade information

[Waltz]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum. I smoke Sprats when they are in season - about now, which seem similar but smaller. The salt/sugar ratio I use in my brine is reversed from yours.  I sometimes include lemon juice but have never tried using cranberry juice, seems like a good combination though and I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing.

[BAM1]

Welcome. I remember going to smelt fries when I was a kid in my little iowa hometown