[Akita Prefecture] What is Hatahata Sushi? Introducing details from when it's delicious to how to make it

When you think of delicious fish from Akita Prefecture, you immediately think of Tahata, but is there anyone who thinks that it is not suitable as a souvenir because it does not keep for a long time?

In this article, we will introduce Hatahata Sushi, which is recommended for such people, in detail, from when it is in season to how to make it.

What is Hatahata Sushi?

Hatahata sushi is a type of sushi made by fermenting fish with salt and rice using lactic acid, and has been popular in Akita Prefecture as a New Year's dish and a preserved winter food.

Unlike today, during the Edo period, hatahata sushi was a cheap fish and easily available to the common people, so hatahata sushi can now be eaten throughout Akita Prefecture, and is now passed down as a traditional Akita food.

When pickled whole, it is called ``1-piki-zushi'', when the head is removed and pickled it is called ``maru-zushi'', and when filleted and pickled it is called ``kizushi'', but they are often eaten. It's all sushi.

Reference: Akita, the Land of Beauty Net “Gourmet food and food culture of Akita”

How to make hatahata sushi

Hatahata

We will introduce the steps to make Hatahata sushi in Akita Prefecture.

  1. wash the dust
  2. pickle in salt for 3 days
  3. Soak in vinegar water for 3 days
  4. Kumazasa, which has antibacterial properties, koji rice, hatahata, carrots, and funori are layered and pickled in that order, and fermented in the refrigerator for about two weeks.

The method of making ``hatahata'' varies slightly depending on the region, such as immediately pickling it in salt, or soaking it in water for a certain period of time to remove slime and blood.

Hatahata sushi has just the right amount of sourness and flavor as a fermented food, and the traditional method of making it has been passed down as one of the cooking methods that brings out the maximum deliciousness of Hatahata.

Hatahata sushi expiration date

hatahata sushi

Hatahata sushi is made with vinegar, so many people might expect it to have a longer shelf life than regular Hatahata sushi.

First of all, how long does the sushi that is used to make sushi last?

I have summarized the expiration dates for each storage method in this table.

Preservation methodexpiration date
Refrigerated storage3 days
frozen storage15 days

It depends on the season, but if you are not going to eat it right away, it is better to keep it frozen.

The following are guidelines for determining whether or not your ora is hurting.

  • Slimy comes out
  • My stomach is getting softer
  • It smells fishy.
  • Discolored to black

If you're thinking of making your own sushi, it's important to pickle it while it's still as fresh as possible.

Also, what is the expiration date of commercially available Hatahata sushi?

I would like to introduce an excerpt.

Product nameexpiration date
Miura Yonetaro Shoten Sandfish cut sushiRefrigerated for 14 days, frozen for 3 months
Miura Yonetaro Shoten Hatahata Sushi with IburigakkoRefrigerated for 14 days, frozen for 3 months
Miura Yonetaro Shoten Single sushi with roe sandfishRefrigerated for 14 days, frozen for 3 months
Suzuki Fisheries Co., Ltd. Hatahata KirizushiCan be frozen, but please eat as soon as possible as it is raw.
Suzuki Suisan Co., Ltd. Hatahata One Animal SushiCan be frozen, but please eat as soon as possible as it is raw.
Suzuki Fisheries Co., Ltd. Buriko Hatahata SushiFreeze for 3 months, 7 days after thawing
Hiyori-kai's Hatahata SushiShelf life is 1 year if unopened and frozen, and within 2 months if refrigerated after opening.
Mitaka Suisan Hatahata Sushi Co., Ltd.Store frozen for 90 days from the date of manufacture, and within 5 days after thawing.

The expiry date of commercially available Hatahata sushi seems to vary depending on the manufacturer, but it can be kept frozen for about 3 months.

summary

Hatahata sushi is a type of sushi made by fermenting fish with salt and rice using lactic acid, and it has been found that it has been popular in Akita Prefecture since ancient times as a New Year's dish and a preserved winter food.

If you keep it frozen, it has a relatively long shelf life and is delicious as a snack with sake, so be sure to give it a try as a souvenir when you visit Akita.

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