I’ve officially given into the tinned fish excitement and I can see what all the fuss was about. After discovering Ali Hook and her “Tin Fish Date Night” series on Tik Tok, I’ve been deeply intrigued by the concept of tinned fish, a food category that I had no experience in. After taking the plunge and overcoming my fears, I can safely say that I am obsessed and I wished I had known about these delectable cans sooner. As someone who is learning as I go, I thought I would compile a few resources for those who also want to start exploring these interesting vessels of fish. From places to get them, to podcasts about them, I have you covered with all of the info you need to know.
Where to Get Tinned Fish
St. James Cheese Company
5004 Prytania St.
St. James is a local favorite for great sandwiches and a wonderful selection of meats and cheeses. They are a phenomenal resource for some more obscure tinned fish brands, which will provide you with a large selection that is also good quality. They also provide some great accompaniments: fancy crackers, breads, oils… you name it, St. James has you covered.
Coutelier
8600 Oak St #1B
Coutelier is the one stop shop for everything from cook books to knives to– you guessed it– tinned fish. Their staff is incredibly kind and knowledgeable, so I’d highly recommend asking for their opinions on what you should try first.
Looking to elevate your experience? You can even get mini antique seafood forks to make your tinned fish experience seem just a little more exciting than normal. Along with this, there are numerous brands and types of tinned fish to try, so you’ll never be forced into something you’re not 100% feeling. Grab a book on tinned fish from their various cookbooks while you’re at it– you’ll leave satisfied and excited to try out what you just purchased.
Whole Foods
5600 Magazine St.
The closest Whole Foods to Tulane’s campus is on Magazine Street, but no matter which one you visit, you will find numerous interesting brands of tinned fish. Head to the canned aisle and you will find them among the beans and canned vegetables!
Books To Read About Tinned Fish
The Magic of Tinned Fish by Chris McDade
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love a niche cookbook. This book has everything you need to know about tinned fish– from which ones to try to recipes regarding how you can incorporate tinned fish into delicious meals. Chris McDade did a wonderful job with this book and I can’t recommend it enough.
The Tinned Fish Cookbook by Bart Van Olphen
This book is also a fantastic choice if you want to incorporate tinned fish into your everyday meal rotation. From salmon to sardines, Bart Van Olphen gives us a plethora of recipes to try!
The Best Youtube Videos to Kick Start Your Inspiration
Ah, good ol’ Youtube. I’d be a liar if I told you I didn’t love scouring the platform for videos regarding every niche interest I obtain. Luckily, Youtube is also a fantastic place to find videos on tinned fish!
Canned Fish Files w/ Matthew Carlson
Rather than just a singular video, I’m giving you an entire channel dedicated to the topic! Long before it was a trend, Matthew Carlson has been consuming, reviewing, and revamping tinned fish through his video series Canned Fish Files. His videos are comprehensive and truly cover every subtopic within the tinned fish world. There is something for everyone on Matthew’s page, and he is perhaps the most dedicated fan of these small canned beauties of aquatic life.
How To Conserva: The Dedalus Guide to Tinned Fish
The Dedalus Wine channel has a wonderful video on how to pair tinned fish with wine and how to incorporate it into a fun meal with friends, but you may not catch it at first. They refer to it as “Conserva”, which simply refers to foods that are conserved in jars and tins. This is a very popular term in Spain, which utilizes the cans as an easy addition to a tapas spread. They give some wonderful ideas on how to eat the tinned fish and how to make it a great meal with little effort.
The Art of Canning the Sea
This is a wonderfully charming video documenting the history and practice of tinned fish in Portugal. This centuries long tradition is one that has sustained generations, and continues to provide healthy and delicious tinned fish to the Portuguese as well as the rest of the world.
Honorable Mention
The Olive Magazine Podcast – SEA SISTERS on 10 things you need to know about tinned fish.
The Olive Magazine Podcast has a wonderful episode where they interview Charlotte and Angus, a British couple who started canning the fish they had caught in 2020 during the pandemic. Together, the business grew into SEA SISTERS, which is currently England’s only fish canary. The process is perhaps what keeps people away, as it seems as if it is shrouded in mystery. This really helps to shed a light on the interesting process and just how safe and delicious tinned fish can be.
No matter where you start on your tinned fish journey, remember that food is meant to be enjoyed. Perhaps this experience will open you up to new and exciting foods that you had never even considered! Have fun, eat good food, and always make sure the tin isn’t dented before you dig in. Happy tin fishing!
Featured image via Pinterest.
About Mercedes Ohlen
Mercedes was The Crescent’s Editor-in-Chief from 2022-2023. She graduated from Tulane with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She enjoys going to the movies, fashion, and writing about the great city of New Orleans. She will be pursuing a career lifestyle journalism, publishing, or a job within comedy upon her graduation from Tulane. No topic is too obscure, and no story too niche. Roll Wave!
Mercedes was The Crescent’s Editor-in-Chief from 2022-2023. She graduated from Tulane with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She enjoys going to the movies, fashion, and writing about the great city of New Orleans. She will be pursuing a career lifestyle journalism, publishing, or a job within comedy upon her graduation from Tulane. No topic is too obscure, and no story too niche. Roll Wave!
