Description
11 pounds of whole raw frozen (IQF) smelt
Smelt are frozen individually and not stuck together. A few will of course get stuck together but it's not a huge block of fish.
Whole (or round) means they are caught and frozen immediately. They are not cleaned, gutted, scaled, etc. These smelt are expected to be about 2 - 3 inches but they could vary more than that.
PLEASE NOTE: these are wild animals and the grading for these are sometimes off and sizes can vary. NO REFUNDS due to size--I do not guarantee you will have all fish 2 - 3". If you need it to be exact, don't buy these.
Smelt have been in very short supply the last few years and they have been running small when we do get them. No large or jumbo smelt are expected next year either. We have had to take what we can get so they are not packed in smaller bags or vac packed like we have provided in the past. I know people will order this and complain that a few years ago they were in smaller bags. These are not, they are in an 11 pound bag inside our standard 11 pound box.
Package
They are in one bag inside a box, not individually packaged.
How it tastes
Smelt has a delicate, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of brininess and a tender, crispy texture when fried.
Ways to cook
The best way to cook smelt fish is to pan-fry or deep-fry them, as their small size and delicate flavor shine with a crispy texture. For a healthier option, you can also grill or bake smelt with a drizzle of olive oil and your favorite herbs.