The tinned fish food trend can be a healthy and tasty hobby

By Rick Gion

The scarfing of canned fish and seafood products by online food influencer types is hard to miss on social media these days. Some of the consumed morsels range from exquisite to downright nasty. However, there are many reasons why eating tinned fish is a popular food trend. Items in these cans can be delicious and the health benefits can be just as rewarding.

Call me crazy, but eating tinned fish isn’t abnormal and ventures back a while. I’ve been consuming kipper snacks (herring) and smoked oysters for decades. Canned tuna has been a staple since my undergraduate college days when the pocketbook was thin. Canned clams and salad shrimp have found a way into party dips from time to time over the years.

Currently, my stack of tinned fish has evolved and reaches about a foot high. This arsenal includes anchovies, herring, mackerel, mussels, oysters, sardines and even razor clams. Exploration of tinned fish varieties can be a fun venture, and that’s why social media characters eat them for “the gram” or to build a captivated TikTok audience.

Many tinned fish morsels are not only tasty, but the touted health benefits are well known. It’s a win-win. In moderation, a diet including tinned fish can improve nutrition intake. Many tinned fish varieties can be high in calcium, magnesium, protein, vitamin D and zinc.

Tinned fish can also make for an umami-boosting component. Anchovies are an often-used ingredient in pasta sauces and a can of tuna gives an unmatched flavor factor to a humdrum hot dish. Caesar salad dressing is not authentic without a few pulverized anchovy fillets. I’ve even seen sardines and smoked oysters used for this application.

There are quite a few locally owned establishments that carry high-end brands of tinned fish. These brands often pack the fish and seafood products in high-quality oils. Additions of welcomed ingredients such as chile peppers, garlic, herbs and peppers enhance the experience. Flavor can come packed in a small size.

Luna Market at Brewhalla is a must-stop. Products carried there are not your normal ham and egger varieties of tinned fish. Brands such as Fangst, Fishwife, Island Creek and Matiz are high quality. The smoked trout from Fishwife is a favorite. A tin of Island Creek razor clams can make for a fun and unique treat. I’m waiting with bated breath for the smoked rainbow trout in chimichurri from Fishwife to be back in stock. It’s a top-tier tin. Also, be sure to ask the food experts at the Luna Market counter for tinned fish advice. They know their stuff.

The market at Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe carries some offerings from the Fishwife line. A recommended item to try there is the smoked salmon in chili crisp. This tin is absolutely delicious. It’s a little more expensive than other Fishwife varieties, but it’s worth a try. It’s a great addition to any cheese and pickle plate.

Tochi Products carries the Bar Harbor, Crown Prince, Natural Catch, Patagonia Provisions and Wild Planet brands. A favorite is the Patagonia smoked mussels, but the sardines in coconut curry from Patagonia is a top-tier tin. Some of these products are placed in different places throughout the store, so be sure to ask Joe Hoglund where the goods are. He likes giving recommendations too.

The Asian & American Supermarket on Main Avenue in Fargo carries some exotic brands of tinned fish. I haven’t tried any of the varieties there, but I encourage others to be adventurous and report back.

Some of the larger national stores such as Natural Grocers on 13th Ave. in south Fargo need to be on your shopping list. Natural Grocers offers a panoply of tinned fish products. Brands such as Crown Prince, Fishwife and Patagonia Provisions are well stocked. I’d recommend trying the Patagonia roasted garlic white anchovies sold at Natural Grocers. These anchovies are not the normal super-salty cured variety used for Caesar dressing or found on pizza. The Patagonia variety has a different texture and great mild flavor. Top them on avocado toast for a tasty flavor boost.

Target carries some of the Fishwife product line, and the prices are great. Costco also carries some tasty tinned fish products.

Cash Wise, Hornbacher’s and Family Fare all stock a tinned fish section. These stores carry many ubiquitous brands, but some surprises may await. I found some Bar Harbor varieties recently at Cash Wise. I really enjoy the smoked wild kippers from Bar Harbor. I’m also always pleased to find King Oscar kipper snacks at one of these stores. These tins are affordable and quite good. King Oscar packs many of its products in high-quality olive oil.

If a really unique brand of tinned fish cannot be found locally, be sure to look it up on Amazon. There’s a cornucopia of online offerings that can be delivered right to the doorstep. Wildfish Cannery offers a few varieties on my list. Unfortunately, I’ll have to watch out for tinned fish porch pirates upon arrival.

Trying different varieties of tinned fish can be a fun and healthful venture. Be sure to stop into one of the aforementioned markets to try a few unique varieties. You never know, it may also lead to a new social media page in which to prove exploratory food prowess. Just don’t eat tinned fish in your car while recording TikTok videos. For the sake of future passengers, please eat the tins at home with crackers or crusty bread. You won’t be disappointed.

Rick Gion administers a Facebook food group called “Fargo-Moorhead Eats,” dedicated to the area’s great cooks and cuisine. The group has over 54,000 followers. Check it out, join, and feel free to post items about your local culinary adventures and home cooking. And, while you’re at it, join the Instagram page. Rick also hosts a weekly radio segment about food called “Prairie Plates” on 91.9 FM Prairie Public, airing between 3 and 4 p.m. every Wednesday.