Pike is a valuable industrial river fish, catching which is a good luck for every angler. It contains only 85 kcal per 100 grams, has a pleasant taste, and is also rich in protein and trace elements. In the article, we will tell in detail how to store pike in different conditions, how to freeze this fish and how to store the finished product. We will also explain what to do when a fish is caught on a fishing rod in the heat, and you have to fish for a long time and you do not want the pike to disappear.
- Fresh fish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- It will last up to 1 year in the freezer.
And now let’s analyze in more detail.
On a fisherman
In the summer, pike caught before returning home from fishing must be kept alive. Several methods are used for this.
- Garden. If the fish is small, you can use a cage. To do this, the pike is immersed in it, then lowered into the water until the end of the fisherman. It is worth noting that the fish in the basket quickly falls asleep, but remains alive. It is best to buy a model with a length of up to 3 meters made of a metal mesh, since the predator easily tears the kapron thread with its teeth.
- Kukan. Such a device will help to store fresh pike on the fisherman directly in the water. It is made of a strong cord with metal nozzles, on which fish are planted. The end of the hook is attached to a tree on the shore, so the catch floats in the water and remains there for the required time.
- Aquarium with aerator. Often, modern boats or boats for fishing are equipped with a special aquarium that is equipped with an aerator. It is filled with water from the reservoir, the catch is lowered into it and stored there alive until returning home.
- Thermal container. The easiest way to keep caught pike alive is a thermal container. Special cooling elements are placed on the walls and bottom, which keep the low temperature well.
- Pickling If it is not possible to keep the fish alive by the methods described above, you can salt it. For this, the pike is cleaned, gutted and rubbed with salt. Then it is placed in a bag made of breathable fabric and hung on a tree.
- In a boat. Another way to ensure that the pike is kept alive in any weather is to pour water into the bottom of the boat and leave the fish there. Be sure to layer the fish with nettle to keep it fresh, this herb serves as an excellent preservative in the heat.
How to choose a fresh pike
The catch did not work out, but you want fresh fish – then buy it in a store or on the market. It is better if it is a specialized fish supermarket.
- When choosing a live fish from an aquarium, pay attention to its behavior. It must be active, swim and have no damage on the carcass.
- Ready fish on ice should be carefully inspected. The eyes should not be cloudy, the gills should be pale.
- Never buy a pike without the head, as this part of the carcass spoils first and is an indicator of the freshness of the fish.
- The characteristic “fishy” smell is also an indicator of product freshness.
In the fridge
After bringing home the fish from the store, you should process the fish: thoroughly gut and wash it, if necessary, cut it into pieces.
Uncleaned fresh fish should be transferred to an enamel container and stored at a temperature of 3-5 ° C on the bottom shelf for up to 1 day.
The best way to ensure the storage of pike in the refrigerator is a plastic container. The fish is covered with ice, covered with a clean linen towel and left in the “zero chamber” for 2-3 days.
In the freezer
Fish must be thoroughly cleaned before storage. For this purpose, it is gutted and washed.
- Fillet. Bones and skin are removed from the fish, cut into long fillets or chopped into pieces. Then they are packaged in portions in bags, stored at a temperature of -18 °C and below for up to 1 year.
- Stuffing. The flesh removed from the bone can be passed through a meat grinder with onions, salt and spices. Then pack in portions in bags, and store at a temperature of -18 °C and below for up to 1 year.
- whole You can also make frozen whole fish if you want to bake or stuff it later. For this, the pike is gutted, washed, and placed in a bag. Then freeze at a temperature of -18 °C and below. The storage period is up to 6 months.
To defrost, fish should be removed from the freezer and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Do not thaw pike in water, as it will lose its taste. If you will cook in the morning, take it out in the evening.
Dried pike
To dry, the carcass is thoroughly washed, the gills are removed and rubbed with salt. They leave it under pressure for 1-2 days so that the fish is salted, no water is added.
Then they are hung on a thread in a dry and well-ventilated place, and dried at a temperature of 20-25 °C. The process goes well in the attic or on the balcony, takes about 5-7 days.
There are two ways to store dried pike:
- In the refrigerator: put the fish in a glass jar, close with a lid and store on the bottom shelf for up to 3 months at a temperature of 5 °C.
- In the freezer: put the fish in a bag and freeze at a temperature of -18 °C and below. It should be taken out 30 minutes before use. The time that pike is stored in the freezer is 6 months.
Smoked pike
Smoked pike is obtained by processing the product with cold or hot smoke. Its shelf life increases, but is not long.
Cold or hot smoked pike can be stored for up to 7 days at a temperature of 5 °C. To extend the term, the fish should be packed in a vacuum. In this form, it can be stored in a cellar, in a refrigerator or in another place at a temperature of 5-7 °C for up to 3 months.
Salted pike
For salting, the pike is cut into pieces, then brined or salted dry. Salted pike cannot be stored for a long time. The storage period in brine is 7 days at a temperature of 5 °C, and dry salting is up to 7 days in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator on the middle shelf.