Moskalik (fish)

{{Short description|Small pickled herring}}

File:Clupea harengus New Jersey.jpg

In Polish cuisine, {{lang|pl|moskalik}}, usually plural (e.g., in sales), {{lang|pl|moskaliki}} is a very small pickled herring (marinated or salted after entrails and head removed).[https://sjp.pwn.pl/sjp/moskalik;2484737.html moskalik], Słownik języka polskiego PWNWielka encyklopedia powszechna PWN, Tom 7, 1966, [https://books.google.com/books?id=hLMYAAAAIAAJ p. 482]

Historically, "moskalik" was associated with poor man's food.Tadeusz Lehr-Spławiński. Słownik języka polskiego, vol 2 L-N. 1939. [https://books.google.com/books?newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&id=RaXCJXdRIngC&dq=moskaliki+ryba&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=moskaliki s. 313]

Moskaliki are very young and small fishes of size up to 5 inches, which are used in culinary as wholes, only with entrails and head removed. Because of this, a small time is required for marinating. The bones soften enough, eliminating the danger of choking, making moskaliki a convenient party snack. They have less of the taste of a sea fish. Due to their young age, they accumulate less mercury, a recent danger of seafood.Natalia Jabłońska, [https://kobieta.interia.pl/porady/news-nie-wchlaniaja-rteci-nie-traca-mulem-przekaska-pelna-jodu-i,nId,7841794#google_vignette Nie wchłaniają rtęci, nie trącą mułem. Przekąska pełna jodu i witaminy D], Interia, October 24, 2024