Hilsa fish is an integral part of Bengali cuisine. Hilsa shutki is very popular among dried fish especially for its distinct taste and smell. Although hilsa shutki is usually bought from the market, it is possible to make it at home and is quite easy. Just as you can set the taste by making hilsa shutki at home, the fun of eating hilsa shutki by storing it for a year is also different. This report is arranged from the process of making hilsa shutki at home to its preservation techniques.

Ingredients for making Hilsa Shutki

Fresh hilsa fish is first required to make hilsa shutki. Good quality hilsa fish should be collected from the market. The size of the fishes should be medium to large, as drying large fishes retain the flavor and aroma. You will also need salt, turmeric powder, chili powder and clean cloth.

How to make hilsa shutki

1. Preparation of Fish:
First, the fish should be washed well and cleaned. Cut off the head and tail of the fish. Then the fish should be cut into long pieces, so that they are suitable for making shutki.

2. Seasoning:
Place the fish pieces in a bowl and season with salt, turmeric powder, and chili powder. After applying the masala, the fish should be left for about an hour, so that the masala mixes well.

3. Drying process:
Spread the spiced fish pieces on a clean cloth and leave them to dry in the sun. Care must be taken while drying that the fish pieces do not stick to each other. While drying in the sun, the pieces of fish should be turned occasionally, so that all sides dry well.

4. Importance of proper drying:
Proper drying of hilsa is very important. When fully dried, dry fruits are easy to store and can be eaten for a long time. In this case, sufficient sunlight is required during drying. It may be a little difficult to make shutki during monsoons, but after drying the fish should not be kept away from direct sunlight.

How to store Hilsa Shutki

Proper storage after drying is important. Some of the following methods can be followed to preserve dried fruits for a long time:

1. Airtight container:
After drying, keep it in an airtight container. It protects the dried fruit from moisture and can be stored for a long time.

2. Use of oil:
You can apply a little oil on the dryer. This will prevent moisture from entering the dryer and also protect against insects.

3. Refrigeration:
Freezer can be used to store hilsa shutki. Dried fruit will last longer if stored at the bottom of the refrigerator. But care should be taken that it should not be eaten before it is completely warm after taking it out of the fridge.

4. Preserve by mixing spices:
The taste and smell of shutki can be retained if stored by mixing spices with shutki. A small amount of oil mixed with salt, turmeric, and chili powder and applied on dry skin will keep it good for a long time.

Various types of dry cooking

Various types of cooking can be done with Hilsa Shutki. Shutki bharta, shutki fry, shutki curry, and pulses or vegetables can be cooked with shutki. Shutki bharta occupies a special place in Bengali cuisine. The fun of eating shutki bharta with hot rice is unique.

1. Dry filling:
To make shutki bharta, first you need to burn the shutki. After that, the charred chutki should be chopped and mixed with onions, green chillies, coriander leaves, mustard oil and a little salt to make bharta.

2. Dry Fry:
To make shutki fry, first fry the shutki in oil. While frying, mix chopped onion, garlic, chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt.

3. Shutki Curry:
To make curry with shutki, first fry the shutki in oil. After that, masala should be prepared with onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric, chili powder, cumin powder and coriander powder and cooked with dry food.

4. Sautaki with pulses and vegetables:
Cooking shutki with pulses or vegetables gives it a different dimension to its taste. When cooking pulses or vegetables, they are more delicious if they are cooked with dry ingredients.

last word

Hilsa shutki is a favorite food of Bengalis. The joy of making hilsa shutki at home and storing it and eating it for a year is immense. Hilsa Shutki can be made at home by following some simple methods and it also costs less. So give this process of making and preserving Hilsa Shutki a try.