David’s Guide to Dried Fish


Congratulations! You are the proud owner of some dried fish! This is the best native food I’ve come across out here in bush, and I’ve gone to great lengths to share it with you. So, even if you decide not to try it, just pretend that you did when I ask you how you liked it.

Before I left the village in May, I asked Leroy Friendly- one of the support staff that works at the school and is from Tuntutuliak- if he could catch and dry some extra salmon for me over the summer. The Eskimos in the village spend the summer months at “fish camp” where they catch and prepare much of their winter food supply. Fish camp is located about 30 miles up river and is sort of like a vacation spot- except that they go there to work instead of relax. The fish is caught, cleaned, dried and then fire cured and smoked for a few weeks before being frozen until they decide to eat it. The fish included with this letter is very ‘fresh’ dried salmon (I vacuum sealed it while it was still frozen). I also made a few test packages and waited a couple of weeks before eating them to make sure it would still be good to eat after being sealed in the plastic for some time unrefridgerated. It is excellent and perfectly safe to eat. The Eskimos keep it out for months without worrying about it going bad.

When you open the package, you may be surprised to find that it does not smell ‘fishy.’ It has a distinct smell, but it is not one I would describe as fishy. You will also find that it is very oily. That is good. These oils are the best kind of oils for human health found on anywhere on the planet. They are also delectable.
To eat it, hold the salmon by the skin and pull the meat off with your teeth. Again, understand that with the oil content this will be a somewhat messy endeavor. Dig in. Savor. Smile.

Now, everything in the bag is edible. People in the village eat the salmon meat then chew on the fish skins (scales and all) until they become soft enough to swallow. Personally, I don’t usually do this, but feel free to try it- it will not hurt you. Also, parts of it will be dark (almost black) and parts will be pink or orange- all of it is perfectly edible and extremely tasty.
If you decide not to eat it, wrap it up, put it in your freezer and some day I’ll visit and take care of it for you. But I strongly encourage you to live a little and give it a try.

Enjoy!
David | Email | Homepage | 11.06.05 - 1:50 am | #

email from Drew:

"Received the salmon yesterday. Tremendous! My girlfriend is a sushi chef, and she freaking loves salmon. She about screamed when she saw read the gift. Thank you, thank you."

That's awesome.
David | Email | Homepage | 11.06.05 - 1:59 am | #

How old is Christiana?

Your blog is very interesting--thanks for keeping it.
Beth | Email | Homepage | 11.09.05 - 5:43 pm | #

I'm so glad you are continuing the blog this school year. It is fascinating! Please find a little time every few weeks or so to keep us all updated.
robyn | Email | Homepage | 11.14.05 - 3:13 pm | #

Hey Dave - COol new update! Your projects sound awesome! Miss ya down here in the lower 48.. .Happy Turkey Day next week (I'll be NOT polishing any silverware this year)!
Love,
Dagmar
dagmar | Email | Homepage | 11.18.05 - 1:52 pm | #

i love this picture! nice work.
amanda leigh | Email | Homepage | 11.18.05 - 2:02 pm | #