Have you ever had an unnatural obsession with a certain food most people find disgusting?
I do.
Because I can’t get enough, I purchase it in a large, bulk size jar from Costco.
It’s pickled herring.
Most folks are grossed out by its silvery, glistening flesh…but I love it. Love it.
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I love the salty-tangy taste. My mouth puckers when I think of it. I crave it.
I grew up in an Eastern European household where herring was a treat. Weird I know.
When people see the very large jar on the top shelf of my fridge, I can see them throw up a little in their mouth.
Sorry folks, I love herring almost as much as I love sardines.
It’s my life.
Deeba says
Yes, I know what you mean & that’s coming form a non-fishy type of foodie. having said that, repulsed is a word I have banished from my foodie vocab, because one man’s meat is another man’s poison!! Live & let live me thinks…you’re right Cathy! It’s your life…enjoy it & the puckered mouth feeling too…LOL!!
imbeingheldhostage says
ooooh, they’re all yours. I’m not against trying new things, but this one definitely makes me shiver (but I’d still try it if it was in front of me).
KathyB. says
Eastern European ? Are you sure, because Ya and sure, this surely does seem to be a bit Scandinavian to me !My family and my Hubby’s family would claim this as their treat of choice.
By the way, we passed through Noble Pig country in Oregon this weekend and were again so blessed by the fall color the vinyards and hills offered up. You do know you will be residing in Paradise don’t you ?
snowmoonelk says
I want pictures!
Laura says
Herring shows up in a lot of historical fiction for children. In “Letters from Rifka” a little Russian girl’s herring sandwich is stolen by a peasant.
I know I have read others too.
I don’t even know what herring looks like but I am guessing that I might like it since I like anchovies and they are kind of long, silvery slimy things.
Munch away.
Debbie says
Herring? Can’t say I’ve ever tried that. However, I do love fried chicken gizzards!
Choosy Beggar Tina says
I love herring too, and grew up in a family where when my mother cooked it was all about sardines with mustard on toast. My partner cannot STAND fish which is pickled, smoked, cured, or anything other than baked or fried. It’s a bit heartbreaking, really. So….so sometimes I get passive aggressive and when he’s pissing me off I’ll eat a good mouthful before going to give him a kiss. I know. I’m a bad, bad girlfriend.
Philly says
I’ll try anything !!
#1
Stephanie says
I love anchovies. Maybe it’s the Italian blood, but when I’ve gone to restaurants that have Ceaser Salad, I always ask for extra anchovies on top. And my favorite pasta sauce is Puttanesca which starts with anchovies.
Barbie with a T says
I love herring too! All sorts of herring. My dad used to eat what they called Rollmops, which was a pickle and onions rolled in a filet of herring, came in a glass jar, and it was sort of pretty in addition to being tasty as all get out. So when I was a very young child, I started eating herring. These days I love the herring that is pickled in sour cream. There is also a very salty dried herring that my dad used to eat, but I do not see it anymore in the grocery stores. It was not all that pretty…dark brown, dried, with little white bristles sticking out of it…salty as all get out too. So you are not alone. I crave that taste and nobody else in the family likes it but me! We do eat a lot of canned salmon and sardines as a lunchtime snack. They go well with a little thinly sliced onion and a dash of Frank’s hot sauce, on a saltine cracker. YUM! Again, nobody else that I know of likes sardines or salmon like we do.
Elly says
Yes we are people that like fish as much as you !! love Rollmops—learned that from a Dane—-Toasted sardine, onion and peanut butter sandwiches and the only sushi I can not eat is sea urchin!!!!
melissa says
I think I might have thrown up a little in my mouth. I can’t tell though because I was eating a banana muffin.
Ali says
If I am remembering correctly, I think a lot of grocery stores carry a sour cream pickled herring (with some onions in it). I grew up on that stuff — it is so delicious! YUM.
Cassie says
As long as you don’t start with the pickled herring recipes, we’re all good.
Jodie says
Be proud! Sardines are one of the best foods that come in a can. Put them on a saltine cracker with a little hot sauce and I’m in heaven.
Suzette says
I’ve never tasted pickled herring – and probably never will. But, the thing I buy in bulk at Costco’s? Anchovies. I love me a fresh, made-to-order Caesar Salad. People really look at you strangely when you check out with a bunch of anchovies! 🙂
Bunny says
Sorry I’ve never sardines or herring, I put that in the same catagory as liver…never had it and don’t want to! But I’m glad you all enjoy it!
Jennifer says
You’re right. That is repulsive.
😉
I don’t know why, but I have an aversion to most kinds of fish. In fact, I just started eating fish at the age of 36. So far I like Cod and Halibut. I don’t think I’m brave enough to go beyond those two right now, but down the road, who knows? I doubt I’ll ever be brave enough for the pickled herring though.
Jennifer says
Well I love sardines! I’ve only had pickled herring a few times and I like it–though not at your level of cravability! I do crave sardines though and so do my kids!
Becky says
To each his own. I’ve never tried pickled herring. But, I’m game. I’ll try anything, once. Well, almost anything.
People always curl their nose when I’m eating my favorite sandwich.
Peanut butter and dill pickle.
Don’t knock it till ya try it, is my response.
maybelles mom says
OH yes. When I was in 5th grade, I started to love eating preserved lemons straight from the jar with rice. I had seen them on Jeff Smith’s show and become obsessed. Alright, I was a weird kid.
Then there are pickled eggs, urchin…etc.
Louise says
This is like a food therapy session! While there are several foods I will not search out to try, your beloved pickled herring being one of them, I also realize I’m consciously missing out on some good stuff.
HoneyB says
I remember my poppy eating sardines with saltine crackers. I would eat them, but I don’t remember ever loving them and don’t eat them now!
Rayrena says
Ooh, I’ve never had pickled herring before but I want to try them! Growing up in a Korean house, half of what we ate my friends thought was gross. Their loss!
Teri says
Well, I’ve always tried to hide my food oddities because when people saw them, they would always gross out and make such a darn scene! Eastern European as well… my parents had me eat some really strange stuff that brings me back to a comfort zone. Herrings aren’t so bad… but I guess I see what you mean, if you have a giant jar in your fridge. Some people don’t get it.
Elly says
know what you mean —-as a kid I would take a tin of sardines and 2 slices of bread with butter and sliced onion, as my school lunch. When I opened the sardines the whole table would clear! One teacher actually asked that I not bring
them again—–My Dad straightened that one out—–
Kristen says
Oh my gosh – my father-in-law loves that stuff. It makes me shiver. I am so grateful that you didn’t take a picture of it. 🙂
Asthmagirl says
I believe in trying stuff multiple times, but the pickled fish thing has never worked for me! It falls into the catagory of tomatoes and cucumbers, unfortunately.
But I’m happy you’ve got a treat that works for you!
snowmoonelk says
but I WANT a picture!!!
Pam says
Not a fan of pickled herring, however, I did grow up eating canned sardines with mustard.
KitchenKiki says
My husband likes peanut butter & dill pickle. I tried it, but it wasn’t right for me. He also claims he likes peanut butter & mayonnaise. I don’t think he has made that around me yet.
While we were on vacation he ate pickled herring 8 of the 12 days we were on the ship. I will sometimes have a small bite on New Year’s Day, shortly after midnight since it is supposed to bring luck or wealth or something for the New Year (says my half Hungarian father)
Trisha says
I have never tried them – or sardines. They just look nasty but . . . to each her own!
ntsc says
It is also good in cream sauce. I’m Scandanavian, but it shows up in lots of Northern European, Slavic and Jewish foods.
I got my wife eating sushi and she has gotten me eating non-fried, non-raw fish.
ELRA says
Cathy,
I like pickle herring as well, in fact I always have it in my cupboard, but mine is in a can. I never seen it at Costco, maybe I should look for it. It must be very big jar, and I probably wouldn’t buy it, as I am the only person who will eat it. The other think I really like is, canned sardine. The one that I am (you can say “repulsive”) is the Indonesian sambal. It is made by grinding fresh Thai chilies, tomatoes, toasted shrimp paste, and salt in a mortar and pestle. My husband couldn’t understand it!
Cathy-wheresmydamnanswer says
I must say the thought of that does give my mouth the pucker factor… Pigs feet is another one that does the same thing to me….
Nicole says
My mother and her family are 100% Ukranian, and whenever I was at my grandparents house Grandpa and I would eat a tin of sardines with club crackers and I think I’m going to have that for lunch cause I am drooling just thinking about it! I will have to try those herrings. 🙂
Marlene says
I love marzipan even though alot of people think it is yucky. I also crave rare roast beef sandwiches with peanut butter on rye bread.
I know, totally wierd.
Marlene
Katrina says
To each his own, I say! Never tried it. But the only seafood I like is halibut–not too fishy, so I probably won’t like it. I’d try it though. Do you just open the jar and eat them just like that? Or do you cook with them in dishes?
Happy you have something you love. And thanks for sharing, I guess. 😉
Laura says
I was reading a book the other day where they referred to fish sauce as “universally abhorred by people of the west” and thought Huh? Am I that unusual? We are obsessed with fish sauce, and I guess for Americans not of Asian descent that appears to be a little odd.
jean says
i like to have sardines on ritz crackers but i can’t say that i have ever tried the pickled herring.
Marjie says
My dearly beloved loves pickled herring. With crackers, it’s his favorite snack. Sick and twisted pup, what’s wrong with a nice piece of cake or brownie?
Psychgrad says
Haha….I grew up with herring around, but still am too grossed out by it to try it.
ALF says
Ew, gross. Well, I’ve never actually had a pickled herring so I guess I can’t judge but it sounds gross and I’m not sure I’d be willing to try one.
Although, when I was younger I used to eat doritos and pickles together. Most people were repulsed by that.
Queen of Planet HotFlash says
I have tried it and just can’t get into it but then again I don’t care for tomatos,coffee, mayonnaise or eggs(unless in something)
Dr. John says
I don’t have a craving for any weird foods but my dad used to eat pickled pigs feet. Now that’s gross.
Cheryl says
ADORE pickled herring! Never even tried it until my mother-in-law had some at a family vacation, and DELISH!!!!!
Also a huge fan of circus peanuts though, too, so maybe my opinion is not the most respected in culinary circles…. 😉
shonda says
No judgment here.
tipper says
The girls favorite teacher-brought pickled herring for his lunch each day-grossing out all the other teachers!
Flash Stitcher says
I am sending husband to your house.He loves pickled herring. I only get it for him, Thanksgiving and Christmas. His mom gets the left overs and he gets no kisses after eating it. Not that he gets many anyway but…what a great excuse.
claudia (cook eat FRET) says
with sourcream!
hell yes!
Biz says
I’m sorry, just reading that made me throw up a bit in my mouth.
My husband LOVES anchovies, and frequently requests them on pizza party Friday. Just the feeling, the “hairs” the smell is enough to make me gag!
But, dutiful wife that I am, I happily add them to his pizza!
Mental P Mama says
Barf city.
pam says
I love it too! We always ate in on New Years Eve, and I always wondered why we only had it once a year.
krysta says
as i always tell my kids, if you don’t like it there’s will always be more for me!
Liz C. says
I have an obcession with beets (with their greens) and no one I know nor anyone in my family will eat beets. Everyone thinks I’m gross because I eat them. Only fresh, of course. I’d have to be on Survivor to eat them canned or pickled, lol.
Ali says
Peanut butter and bacon is delicious! 🙂
Lo says
I’m so glad there are other souls in the universe who enjoy herring. I’ve been eating it since childhood. Not sure I liked it at first, but my Dad was a HUGE fan. So, I became determined to love it… and these days, it’s a highlight of my holiday memories.
I can also get pretty excited about a can of anchovies with capers. I’m a hairy fish girl, what can I say?
clumbsycookie says
Yes sardines! The other thing I don’t know what it is…
Maria says
Makes my mouth water! And reminds me of my grandfather, who ate it straight out of the jar. I’d always beg him for some. (He was Russian. He loved caviar too.)My son inherited this love of fish. He’ll eat a whole can of sardines for a snack!
Blond Duck says
I’ll trade you a pucket of pickled herring for the apple cheese pie below. Meet you behind the old barn at nine tonight. Snort like a pig, and I’ll quack.
dawn says
girl you can have all the herring….that stuff is… :::quiver:::
Sarah says
In my family, the herring comes out every year at Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas, and New Year’s. Usually for Christmas Eve we have dinner at my grandparents’ house, and we have cold cuts, bread, and side dishes (like cole slaw)… it wouldn’t be Christmas without herring on a Triscuit!
Shirley says
That is a really good food for you. I don’t do herring or sardines … for me, it’s chicken livers, which grosses most folks out. I love fried chicken livers!
Loving Annie says
Cathy,
Your body must crave the salt in the herring. I find there is always a reason why people love certain foods. Either it affects emotions or is necessary physiologically.
Lorraine E says
I always looked a them and though “ugh” but then we had a Swedish night and someone brought some and I tried them and loved them! Now whenever I go to Ikea I grab a jar (or two) 🙂
Erin says
Cathy, I heart you dearly, but EWWWWWW!!!!
RobinSue says
Do you eat it mixed with sour cream? We served it that way in a restaurant I worked in for years. I like fried calamari which grosses some folks out.
Jamee says
I think that sounds extremely gross! yuck! Really, “pickled” anything besides plain ol’pickles is just nasty…
TSannie/annbb says
My grandparents (the German and Swiss ones) loved pickled herring. Me, not so much. But sardines!! Ah I LOVE sardines. My husband cannot abide them so I don’t indulge much, but love them I do.
Sandie says
I don’t think it’s so repulsive. We all have those out-of-the-ordinary things that we crave. To each their own!
medstudentwife says
rollmops, sardines AND anchovies…
YES !!!
So I’m not the only one with quirky fish tastes:)
Now I’m drooling thinking about its all.
Paula says
I think it sounds neat! I’ve not tried herring in any form, but I’m game. Foods that keep us connected to our ancestry are worth the odd look now and then. I love anchovies … and liver pate. I don’t get asked to share much! 🙂
Flea says
I had never had herring of any sort till I visited Minnesota while in college. There I had smoked herring and LOVED it. Haven’t had it since.
Now, is pickled herring anything like sardines? Because that just ain’t happenin’.
Karen Deborah says
you and my Danish family, who like the sourcream version on a good danish rye and pickled beets on the side. Wash it down with a cold beer or a Manhatten and your a real Viking.
Amber says
Mine would be plain yogurt with lots of fresh crushed garlic. No I don’t keep it around but when I am at my Assyrian side of the family and there is grape leaf dolma, then I am searching with my nose for the yogurt with garlic. Yeah it is real easy to smell which bowl is plain yogurt and which is the good stuff. You probably would have to grow up with it to understand.
Egghead says
My Hungarian father loved pickled herring as well as sardines. The herring I can eat once in a great while but the sardines make me yak. However, he did teach me to eat onion sandwiches which I adore. Yum!
[eatingclub] vancouver || js says
I’ve never had pickled herring before, but you are certainly making me want to try it. Not disgusting to me!
snowmoonelk says
Hi Amber, I am British and I, too, have a thing for plain yoghurt with crushed garlic in it. In fact, that’s what I had for lunch yesterday, along with homemade falafels! I grew up with bacon and eggs, custard and mince! Not altogether, thank goodness!
grace says
hey, no problem–the more jars of it that you take off the shelves, the fewer i have to see with my own eyes. 🙂
marcy says
Can’t say I’ve ever tried Herring – I’m very picky about the fish I eat.
However the one thing I eat that grosses people out is Peanut butter and Mayonnaise – mmmm, nothing better , especially with a side of nacho cheese doritos:)
vanessa says
My Dad likes the stuff and I particularly remember him eating it, on crackers, for New Years Eve. I may have tried it then but do not remember the taste at all. Maybe one of these days I’ll be brave and …. oh I don’t know!
giz says
Ha!! I have to laugh – if I could eat herring I would – but I pick it up at Costco too for my mom who can’t go a day without some herring and fresh rye bread.
Choosy Beggar Tina says
Hahahhaa- Peanut butter pickle and peanut butter bacon are the ONLY two ways that I ever eat sandwiches!!! That’s too funny. Ladies, hats off to my peeps!!!
Y says
Pickled herring is delicious! I have a penchant for dried squid and rice crackers – doesn’t seem weird I know, but my boyfriend seems to think it’s the grossest thing ever!
Wine Tasting Guy says
You gotta try Matjias herring. Or herring in red wine sauce. um, um good…
Danigirl says
I totally and completely understand the craving for rare meat and peanut butter. But the best sandwich by far is ham and fried bananas.
Rene says
I ALSO luv pickled herring…but I can’t find out how LONG that huge opened jar I have in my fridge is good for. Somewhere it said a year…is that true!
Tammy says
I have never had them…but my sister went to Norway a couple of years ago and she loves them.
We were raised in a family that ate liver, heart, pigs feet..all of the thngs you never wanted to mention to anyone. But now those are specialties and no one is afraid to say they eat tongue, pate’ or sweetbreads. yummmm
[email protected] says
Herring and anchovies both make great bait for catching salmon and sturgeon.
Should taste good to us also.
As long as I can catch salmon on them I will stick to eating the salmon and save the herring and anchovies for bait.
Queen of Risotto says
When I was in Denmark, that was the one food I could not try, and had to pass on. It just looks like cold slimy fish kept in formaldehyde served cold on toast. Sorry, but no thanks.
Johanna says
I also LOVE pickled herring (Solomun Gundy) perhaps due to my Scandanavian and Maritime heritage. I like to keep a jar in the fridge and have a few bits now and then for a treat. Not surprisingly, I also love sardines (totally healthy, too!) and blue cheese, which a lot of people hate. I cannot stand calimari and shudder at the thought of octopus…eeewww… and I cannot understand why anyone would ever eat head cheese, pig’s feet or goat’s eyes 🙂 I tried cow brains in Italy once; not a favourite, I must say.
Beth says
Pickled herring? Love it! Haven’t had it in awhile though. So, just know that you are not alone. 🙂
Beth says
Pickled herring? Love it! Haven’t had it in awhile though. So, just know that you are not alone. 🙂 I also like sardines. (For what it’s worth, my mom’s family hailed from Russia and my dad’s family was from Eastern Europe. Also, if you want to see people cringe, order anchovies on your pizza, or sandwich made with chopped liver or tongue. 😉
Sandi Supinski says
I also LOVE pickled herring! My family always gives me the “gross” face when they see me munching on a few lol. I can take or leave sardines,but pickled herring is a “must have” for me!
Lorraine says
We had to have it every New Year at the stroke of midnight for good luck!
Cathy says
But once a year is not enough!!