Marinated Mackerel Rolls

Marinated mackerel rolls is a delicious and flavorful seafood dish that's perfect for those who love a blend of marinated fish with aromatic spices. The process begins with cleaning and filleting the mackerel, ensuring a smooth texture by removing the central bone while keeping the side bones intact for flavor enhancement. The fillets are then layered in a dish with a seasoning mix of salt, sugar, and ground pepper, and left to marinate in the refrigerator for a deep seasoning infusion. After a few days, the mackerel develops a rich flavor and is adorned with crisp onion rings, rolled tightly, and secured with a toothpick. The dish is finished by immersing these rolls in a fragrant marinade of water, vinegar essence, bay leaves, cloves, and peppers. It's a delightful and savory treat that becomes even more delectable after resting in the fridge, absorbing all the spicy, tangy goodness. Whether served as an appetizer or part of a larger meal, these marinated rolls offer a satisfying journey into rich and robust flavors. Pair it with fresh bread or a light salad for a complete culinary experience. For those seeking alternative preparation methods or serving suggestions, there's plenty of room for creative variations.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

Mackerel
Salt
Sugar
Ground pepper

Marinade

1 liter water
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar essence (or 7 tablespoons vinegar)
2 bay leaves
4 cloves
5 allspice berries
10 black peppercorns
2-3 onions, sliced
A splash of vegetable oil

Preparation Time

Approximately 999 minutes, including curing and preparation.

Step-by-Step Instruction

Begin by cleaning the mackerel thoroughly, ensuring you don’t wash them with water. Use paper towels to remove any excess moisture or residues.
Carefully remove the central bone of each mackerel to create fillets, but leave the longer side bones intact to enhance the flavor.
In a dish intended for marinating, sprinkle a bit of salt and sugar at the bottom, and lay out the mackerel fillets without overlapping.
Season each layer of fillets generously with salt, sugar, and ground pepper. Continue layering and seasoning until all the fillets are used and the dish is full.
Remember the ideal ratio should be about 60% salt and 40% sugar, with a heavy hand on the pepper for seasoning.
Cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator for three days, allowing the mackerel to cure and absorb the delicious flavors.
Once cured, gently peel off the skin from each fillet, starting from the tail end, as it should easily separate.
Remove the side bones at this point as they should also come out quite easily.
With the mackerel prepared, slice onions into half-moons and separate into smaller pieces.
Place a portion of onion inside each mackerel fillet and roll them up tightly.
Use a toothpick to keep the rolls from unraveling.
For the marinade, mix the water, salt, sugar, vinegar, bay leaves, cloves, allspice berries, and black peppercorns together.
Either pour the cold marinade directly over the rolls or use a boiled and cooled marinade—based on your preference.
Arrange the mackerel rolls in a jar or container and ensure they are completely submerged by the marinade.
Let them sit in the refrigerator overnight to absorb all the distinctive flavors.
By the next day, the rolls are ready to serve. If desired, allow sitting for additional days to intensify flavors.
Serve chilled with a drizzle of extra vegetable oil for a glossy finish.
These rolls pair beautifully as a starter or alongside salads or fresh bread.
Enjoy the full richness of the marinated mackerel, a true culinary delight for seafood lovers.
Bon appétit!

Tips

Substitutions: You can use fresh mackerel for the best results, but other oily fish could work in a similar marinating process.
Make Ahead: Perfect as a make-ahead dish, preparing it a couple of days in advance can enhance the flavors.

Nutrition

Information per serving:

Calories: 250 kcal
Protein: 22g
Fats: 15g
Carbohydrates: 5g

Variations

For a spicy kick, add some chili flakes to the marinade.
Use lime or lemon juice instead of vinegar for a citrusy twist.
Try adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley for a burst of freshness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these rolls as an appetizer with rye bread and butter.
Pair with a crisp green salad or a tangy slaw to complement the flavors.
A glass of chilled white wine would masterfully accompany this dish.

Best Places

Restaurant Lido - A renowned spot for enjoying local marinated seafood delicacies. Location: Latgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, Latvia.
Marina Mackerel - Known for its exceptional marinated mackerel with a wide array of flavors. Location: Bergen, Norway.
Fish House - Offers an exquisite menu featuring various marinated fish rolls. Location: Tampa, Florida, USA.
Sashimi Dreams - Combines traditional and modern flavors in its fish dishes. Location: Tokyo, Japan.
Sea Spice - Famous for its unique take on marinated mackerel. Location: Brighton, UK.
Nordic Sea - A cafe that serves delicious cold fish appetizers. Location: Reykjavik, Iceland.
The Salmon House - While focused on salmon, they excel in mackerel dishes as well. Location: Vancouver, Canada.
Mediterranean Waves - Specializes in marinated seafood from the Mediterranean. Location: Athens, Greece.
Baltic Catch - Known for fresh and flavorful marinated mackerel. Location: Tallinn, Estonia.
Pacific Grills - Offers a wonderful selection of marinated seafood. Location: Sydney, Australia.