Great for snacks to dinner! Akita prefecture's traditional food "Iburigakko"

There are some gourmet foods that you must try when visiting Akita Prefecture. There are many traditional regional dishes. Many of these traditional dishes reflect the local food situation. The pickle called ``Iburigakko'' that you should try in Akita is also a regionally unique pickle that was born from Akita prefecture's food history.

It's also interesting to get a feel for the region and history through the food. This time, I would like to introduce ``Iburigakko'', a preserved food representative of Akita Prefecture.

Iburigakko = smoked pickles

``Iburigakko'' is a type of pickle that is mainly native to the southern part of Akita Prefecture. Although it is called ``Iburigakko'', it is also called ``Iburizuke'' because it is a pickle. This is a pickle made by smoking and drying root vegetables such as daikon radish. In Akita, pickles are called "gakko," which means "smoky pickles."

This ``Iburigakko'' is made by smoking root vegetables such as daikon radish behind a fireplace and then making pickles with salt and rice malt. If you look at the image, you can see that the pickles have a brownish tinge. The brown color of pickles comes from the fact that they are smoked and pickled. When you put it in your mouth, you can feel the smokiness and saltiness of the smoke, as well as the flavor of the vegetables. It is one of the preserved foods that has been made in Akita Prefecture since ancient times in preparation for the harsh winters.

Nowadays, it is less common for households to make it, but because it is a preserved food in preparation for the harsh winters, each household has its own unique taste. The taste was adjusted to suit each family's tastes, such as some families using a lot of grains and others adding salt. In addition, since ``Iburigakko'' is also smoked, the type of wood used for smoking is a matter of personal preference. It seems that each house used a different tree, such as oak or cherry tree, to create a different flavor.

If you visit Iburigakko, will you be able to sightsee in Akita naturally?

Although it is rarely made at home anymore, various companies in Akita Prefecture are now manufacturing Iburigakko. Of course, each company has different flavors, and if you keep track of the different types, you could travel all over Akita Prefecture, such as ``Iburigakko,'' which uses not only daikon radish but also carrots, and ``Iburigakko,'' which is mixed with chopped kelp.

It is also served as a side dish at pubs and other places, and is loved by people both inside and outside the prefecture as a friend of sake. In recent years, it has also been featured at drinking parties as a Western-style appetizer made with cheese and other ingredients, and has gained a reputation for its unique smokiness that goes well with wine and brandy whisky.

``Iburigakko'' is served at many izakaya restaurants in Akita Prefecture. Even souvenir shops often carry one or two types of souvenirs. However, there are so many different types of ``Iburigakko'' that when I went to the souvenir shop next door, I found that they had many completely different types of ``Iburigakko''. This is a travel story.

There are so many different types of Iburigakko that it is not uncommon to find different types of Iburigakko lined up not only in souvenir shops but also in supermarkets. As I was going around tourist spots, I went to a souvenir shop and thought, ``Oh, there's a Buri Gakko here too!'', and then I went into a supermarket near another tourist spot and thought, ``Oh, that's a Buri Gakko, but it's a completely different type!'' as I chased it. Iburigakko is an interesting food that you can enjoy on a pilgrimage through Akita Prefecture.

lastly

Souvenirs called "local 〇〇" can be found all over Japan. Most of them are character souvenirs, but in Akita Prefecture, there are so many different types of smoked pickles that they can be called ``local smoked fish,'' and you can find different products at different supermarkets and souvenir shops. . Some people in Akita Prefecture have their own favorite ``Iburigakko'', so if you ask a local, ``Where's the best Iburigakko?'', they'll probably recommend a product.

Akita Prefecture is also an alcoholic prefecture, so Iburigakko is very popular as it goes well with alcohol. Originally a preserved food with a long history, it has now become a representative food of Akita, so be sure to check it out. Once you take a bite, it may become your favorite snack.