Foods of the World Forum Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Europe > Russia and Her Neighbors
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Baltic Sprats
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

This site is completely supported by donations; there are no corporate sponsors. We would be honoured if you would consider a small donation, to be used exclusively for forum expenses.



Thank you, from the Foods of the World Forums!

Baltic Sprats

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25 January 2010
Location: Chinook, MT
Status: Offline
Points: 9356
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Baltic Sprats
    Posted: 27 December 2011 at 15:43
A couple of years ago, I received a great gift from a great friend: a tin of Baltic sprats, imported from Latvia:
 
 
Wikipedia gives some good information on these tasty little treats:
 
Quote The Baltic sprat, Sprattus sprattus balticus, is a herring-like, marine fish in the family Clupeidae. It is found in northeast Atlantic Ocean and most of the Baltic Sea, excluding the Bothnian Bay and eastern Gulf of Finland. Its length is up to 16 cm.
 
Young sprats are commonly known as brisling.
 
Canned sprats (usually smoked) are available in many north European countries, including the Baltic States, Scandinavia, Germany, Poland and Russia. They are an important Latvian export.
 
The research I had also indicated that sprats go well when served with another regional favourite:
 
 
I'd been meaning to try them for quite a long time, and even took them out a couple of times during some events when family got together, but it never happened until Chrsitmas Eve - this past weekend - when I took them out to my parents' place for an impromptu grazing fest. The sprats lent a nice contrast to the usual chips, dips, deli and reslish trays and other similar fare.
 
Eager to try them, I layed out some crackers and opened up the tin:
 
 
The can had had a hard life in our shelf. It had been knocked to the floor at least three times that I know of, and one day i came home from work to find the cat batting it around like a hockey puck; consequently, it looked like the sprats got a little beat up, but there was no denying the very nice, briny aroma they had, highlighted by a very sultry, smoky (smokey?) ambience that really made me want to try them.
 
My dad loaded one up on a cracker for the picture:
 
 
And then I  prepared one for myself as well, to be accompanied by the chilled vodka.
 
We both decided that these Latvian goodies were really something extraordinary, and thoroughly enjoyed them. A couple of my older boys thought they were good too; however, the rest of the family, including my mother, sister, brother-in-law, the younger boys, my lovely young niece and the beautiful Mrs. Tas, did not try them. No worries ~ more for us!
 
These were really good, and I think a person who likes sardines, herring, and similar products would enjoy them very much. They are slightly stronger than sardines, but not nearly so much as anchovies - and the smokiness that is imparted into them really takes them to a great level.
 
My thanks to John for sending them, and sorry that it took so long to finally try them - but they were worth the wait! To those who have never tried them, but might life them, I say you need to give them a go ~ perhaps for New Year's Eve....
If you are a visitor and like what you see, please click here and join the discussions in our community!
Back to Top
Sponsored Links


Back to Top
Hoser View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 06 February 2010
Location: Cumberland, RI
Status: Offline
Points: 3454
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hoser Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 January 2012 at 04:30
That is some good snacking right there Ron....not much I like better than some nice smoked up seafood on a cracker.Thumbs Up
Go ahead...play with your food!
Back to Top
Wannabebwana View Drop Down
Cook
Cook


Joined: 29 January 2019
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 163
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wannabebwana Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 July 2019 at 17:42
Ron, next time you go to the market for these, also have a look for canned cod livers. They’re one of Slavyanka’s favourite snacks.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.109 seconds.