What is Ooligan grease?

Asked by: Tamara Swain

The most prominent source of food fat used by British Columbia native people has been from the ooligan (Thaleichthys pacificus Richardson, Osmeridae) a small fish which is harvested in bulk in early spring, allowed to ripen in large bins, and then rendered to give a pungent, golden, thick oil called “ooUgan grease”.3 дек. 1982

How do you make Ooligan grease?

Eulachon grease is made by putting the fish in what’s called a stink box, where the blood drains into cedar boughs laid on the bottom. The eulachon ferment for several days until their eyes turn red before they’re moved to another box for cooking at a precise temperature that releases the grease.

What is oolichan grease used for?

It had outstanding keeping qualities, was an excellent source of food energy and also had a reputation as a healing aid. A cupful of grease was said to sure stomach aches and colds, and when rubbed on the skin it supposedly treated conditions such as psoriasis and dandruff.

What is oolichan oil?

Oolichan grease, a dietary fat prepared from smelt-like fish, is highly prized by north Pacific coast aboriginal cultures. The composition of oolichan grease is unclear, with one report indicating a high 22:6n-3 content consistent with cold-water marine oils, but another reporting a much lower value.

How do you cook Eulachon?

And then i'm always going to roast uh at least a clove of garlic in it and i get that garlic clove kind of nice and cooked before i add the fish. And you can just put the smell right into that bread.

What is the meaning of eulachon?

eulachon in American English



(ˈjuːləˌkɑn) noun. a small, edible, smeltlike fish, Thaleichthys pacificus, of northwestern coastal waters of North America, being so oily that when dried it can be used as a candle; candlefish.

Are smelts and sardines the same?

Smelt are known for their fine flavor. These small, silvery-green fish, also known as rainbow smelt, are similar in appearance to sardines and anchovies. Most adult fish are 7 to 9 inches long and weigh up to 6 ounces. Smelt are not only loaded with healthy nutrients, but also are low in mercury.

Are smelt and hooligan the same?

The real name for these little critters is eulachon. They have lots of other common names in in the Northwest – in our part of Alaska we call them hooligan, or even ‘hoolies’. They’re a type of smelt, and their numbers vary quite a bit from year to year.

When should I go hooligan fishing?

Open season

• In salt waters, hooligan may be taken from April 1 through May 31.
• In fresh waters, hooligan may be taken from April 1 through June 15.

How do you smoke hooligan?

On them and then next morning you let a little bigger fire and then they smoke. And you can smoke them forever. And they've never stopped draining.