Check the herring fillets: if they are in brine or oil, remove them from the packaging and briefly rinse under cold running water to remove excess salt. After rinsing, place the fillets on a cutting board and dry them with a paper towel. Using a sharp knife, cut the fillets into pieces about 2 cm wide (for serving or smaller pieces).
Description
A seasonal, regional dish inspired by Kashubian and Pomeranian cuisine — lightly pickled herring fillets in an aromatic, sweet-and-sour marinade based on apple cider, with the addition of fresh apple, red onion, and dried cranberries. This is a quick version of traditional herring that you can prepare in a short time and will delight your guests with a balance of flavors: delicate, fatty fish, fresh crunch of apple, sweetness of cranberries, and subtle sharpness of onion. The dish is perfect for Christmas Eve as an appetizer or a light accent on the festive table — serve with dark rye bread, baked potatoes, or as one of several types of herring. Appearance: a colorful mix of red, golden cider, and green dill leaves, appetizingly arranged on a glass platter.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (11)
- Apple cider 100 ml
- Matjes herring (fillets) 300 g
- Red onion 1 szt. (~150 g)
- Apple cider vinegar 30 ml
- Sugar 15 g
- Rapeseed oil 30 g
- Apple 0.8 szt. (~150 g)
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Salt 0.1 szczypt (~3 g)
- Ground black pepper 1 szczypta (~1 g)
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Dried cranberries 40 g
- Dill 0.5 pęczek (~10 g)
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Preparation steps
Preparing herring
Marinade
Peel the red onion and slice it into very thin half-moons or small cubes — thin slices will soften faster and release their aroma. Wash the apple, cut it in half, remove the core, and slice it into thin strips (julienne) or small cubes — you can leave the skin on for color. In a medium bowl, combine the cider (100 ml), apple cider vinegar (30 ml), and sugar (15 g) — whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add salt (3 g) and pepper (1 g), mix again, and finally pour in the rapeseed oil and gently combine to create a uniform, slightly emulsified marinade.
Assembly and marinating
In a wide, non-aluminum bowl (glass or ceramic), place the chopped herring fillets. Add the chopped onion, apple, and dried cranberries (if using). Pour the prepared marinade over everything so that the ingredients are partially submerged. Gently mix with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to combine the ingredients without mashing the herring. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (you can leave it for up to 2 hours — the flavors will meld).
Taste test
After 30 minutes, take the bowl out of the fridge and taste a piece of herring with the marinade (use a clean teaspoon). Check the balance of flavors: it should be sweet and sour with a distinct aroma of cider and a gentle saltiness of the herring. If the marinade is too sour, add 5–10 g of sugar and mix; if it is too sweet or bland — add a drop of vinegar (5–10 ml).
Serving
Transfer the herring along with the accompaniments to a platter or salad bowl — arrange it so that the slices of apple and red onion are visible. If using, sprinkle finely chopped fresh dill (10 g) just before serving. When serving, add a few tablespoons of the marinade from the bowl to keep the fish moist. Serve the dish with dark rye bread or baked potatoes. For visual effect, place a few dried cranberries on top.
Final tips
If you are preparing the dish in advance: store it in the fridge covered, preferably in a glass container. It will absorb flavors after a few hours; however, it is not recommended to store it for longer than 48 hours. Before serving, take it out 10–15 minutes earlier so it is not too cold and the flavors can be enhanced.
Fun Fact
Herring has been one of the most important ingredients in Pomeranian and Kashubian cuisine for centuries — thanks to the ability to salt and pickle, this fish has become a staple in traditional Polish and regional Christmas recipes.
Best for
Tips
Serve chilled, but not icy — the optimal temperature is around 10–15°C. Arrange a few pieces on small plates with some dark bread or small roasted potatoes. You can add thin slices of pickled cucumber for contrast and extra freshness.
Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Do not freeze. If you want to prepare it in advance, marinate for no longer than 24 hours — after a longer time, the texture of the herring may become too soft.
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