Polish Herring Spread Recipe – Pasta Śledziowa

Name: Polish Herring Spread Recipe - Pasta Śledziowa
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Polish
Ingredients: 3 herring fillets; 3.5 oz / 100g of butter; 1 onion; 1 dill pickle; ½ tsp of black pepper; ½ tsp of mustard

March 12, 2024

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Herring is extremely popular in both Northern and Eastern Europe. The fish is also very popular in Poland too. An interesting fact about this fish is that Poles eat it one day before Ash Wednesday. This day is known as Śledzik. Śledzik is also the last day of ostatki (the days between Fat Thursday and Śledzik). Traditionally people enjoy Śledzik by eating, drinking, and partying.

Herring plays a very important role in this celebration. The last dish served that evening is herring and it marks the start of the season of fasting. Śledzik is also derived from the word Śledź which means herring.

People tend to use both pickled herring and fresh herring. One great way to eat this silvery slimy fish is by making a spread. The Polish herring spread recipe is very simple and quick. It takes just five minutes to make, requires very few ingredients and tastes awesome. Its also a great variation from the popular pickled herring recipes. You will find that the fatty spread pairs very well with a thick slice of your favorite Polish bread.

Polish Herring Spread Recipe – Pasta Śledziowa

Part I – Blend The Butter

For this recipe, you will need 100 gms. of butter. Blend the butter till it turns a whitish color.

Part II – Add The Remaining Ingredients

Add in 3 herring filets, 1 onion, 1 dill pickle, ½ tsp of black pepper and ½ tsp of mustard. Blend all the ingredients together till it forms a nice smooth paste. That’s it! Your Polish herring spread is ready.

Part III – Serve As A Spread

You can pair the Polish herring spread with bread or even pita.

Polish herring spread on bread

Polish Herring Spread – Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Other Polish Recipes That Use Herring?

Yes. There are quite a few Polish recipes that use herring. Some of the popular ones are:

Shuba salad recipe (Layered salad with beets and herring)
Polish herring in tomato sauce recipe
Polish herring rolls recipe
Polish herring salad recipe
Polish herring in oil recipe

What Pairs Well With Polish Herring Spread?

Polish herring spread is very versatile. Normally you will find that it is spread generously on top of a thick slice of Polish bread. Pita is also a great option as a base. You can also try using it with crackers. Just spread a little on top and it becomes a great starter.

Is Herring Easily Available In Poland?

Yes. Herring is easily available in Poland, especially during the herring season when you can get fresh herring. During the other seasons, you will find pickled herring in the stores.

Can I Use Herring In Oil To Make This Recipe?

Yes, you can use herring in oil. These are more easily available than fresh herring and are so much easier to store. Unlike herring which is stored in brine, this is also less salty. Before using the herring, place it on a paper towel and pat dry the fish. This will help remove all the excess oil from the fish.

Yield: 8 servings