Haitian-style Pickled Herring

Ingredients

In this Haitian adaptation, we replace the traditional Norwegian pickling spices with Haitian spices such as cloves, allspice, and thyme. Additionally, we incorporate lime juice to enhance the tropical flavors and add a refreshing twist to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Sursild, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) herring fillets 500g (1.1 lb) herring fillets
• 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
• 1/4 cup (50g) sugar 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, sliced (optional for heat) 1 scotch bonnet pepper, sliced (optional for heat)
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 8g
• Protein: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the herring fillets under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, combine the white vinegar, lime juice, sugar, cloves, allspice, thyme, and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. 3.
   Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the marinade cool to room temperature.
4. 4.
   Place the herring fillets, sliced onion, and scotch bonnet pepper (if using) in a glass or ceramic dish.
5. 5.
   Pour the cooled marinade over the herring, ensuring that the fillets are fully submerged. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the herring to pickle.
6. 6.
   Serve the Haitian-style pickled herring chilled, either as an appetizer or as part of a larger Haitian feast.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Herring fillets — Ensure that the herring fillets are fresh and of high quality. If fresh herring is not available, you can use frozen herring fillets, thawed before use.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, leave the scotch bonnet pepper seeds intact. Adjust the amount of pepper according to your heat preference.
• Serve the pickled herring with slices of fresh bread or crackers for a delightful contrast of textures.
• The longer the herring marinates, the more flavorful it becomes. Consider marinating it for up to 48 hours for an even tastier result.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Haitian-style pickled herring as an appetizer alongside fresh bread or crackers. It can also be enjoyed as part of a larger Haitian meal, complementing dishes such as griot (fried pork) or diri ak djon djon (rice with black mushrooms).

Presentation advice

Arrange the pickled herring fillets on a platter, garnished with fresh lime slices and sprigs of thyme. The vibrant pink color of the herring will add visual appeal to your presentation.