Drying whole, small fish at home
As part of my ongoing experiments with whole small fish (sardine, smelts, small mackerel), I'm considering drying them at home to produce concentrated umami bombs.
However, I'm admittedly less than thrilled with the instructions I've seen online, which either advise leaving them exposed to the air for an extended period--in which case I fear rapid spoilage and a truly horrible smell--or sticking them in the oven--the idea of which I like more, but which apparently yields a tough 'fish jerky,' which is also not what I had in mind. I've also noticed that most instructions just assume the fish will be gutted, but with fish so small (the ones I get are generally between 5 and 7 cm long, with few going past 9) I generally like to leave the guts in.
What would be the safest method for drying small, oily fish for future use? Should they be brined first for sanitation purposes?
Best Answer
Considering the option of leaving them extended period in open air sounds good depending upon where you live. The climate takes a important role. If there is humidity don't do that and there should be strong sunlight for a long period of time. It will remain safe, just cover it with a thin net so it won't get spoiled by insects. I have done it a lot of time previously so i am not worried. In this method, you can constantly observe them dry so that you can control as well.
Regarding putting them in oven, you may feel secure as you clean your oven and the food is free from external spoiling effects.
But, personally I prefer the sun because the flavour will be far better if exposed to sun for long period of time. You are supposed to clean them thoroughly and brine is just an option for taste, that is not compulsory.
I hope it helps...
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How do you dry a small fish?
Lay out the fish strips evenly on every dehydrator tray, making sure there's enough space for air to circulate. Set your dehydrator to 63\xb0C/145\xb0F, and dehydrate your fish for 10 hours. Check them after this time. If they still feel a bit juicy to you, put them in for another four hours.How do you dry a whole fish?
For beginners, the easiest way to dry your fish is by using an oven or dehydrator. If you're using an oven, set it between 160 \u2013 180 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the size of your fish. Descale the fish, gut them, and clean inside and out thoroughly. Leaving any bad parts in the fish will affect the drying process.How long does it take to dry a fish?
Generally, it may take up to 10 hours for fish to dry. Many factors may influence how long or how fast your fish dries, such as how humid it is where you are, thickness of strips and the amount of fish in the dehydrator. Your best bet is to check on your fish as it dries and test it.How long does it take to air dry fish?
Small fish will dry in about three days if the air is dry. Large fish will take a week or ten days to dry. After the fish have dried, place them in a basket to hold them. Cover them with clean paper or large leaves.How To Easily Dry Fish At Home
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