Rollmops () are

pickled herring Pickled herring is a traditional way of preserving herring as food by pickling or curing. Most cured herring uses a two-step curing process: it is first cured with salt to extract water; then the salt is removed and the herring is brined i ...

fillets, rolled into a cylindrical shape, often around a savoury filling.

Presentation

The filling usually consists of onion, sliced pickled

gherkin A pickled cucumber (commonly known as a pickle in the United States and Canada and a gherkin in Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand) is a usually small or miniature cucumber that has been pickled in a brine, vinegar, or ...

, or green olive with

pimento A pimiento or pimento (or cherry pepper) is a variety of large, red, heart-shaped chili pepper ('' Capsicum annuum'') that measures 3 to 4 in (7 to 10 cm) long and 2 to 3 in (5 to 7 cm) wide (medium, elongate). Pimientos can have vari ...

. Rollmops are often skewered with a cocktail skewer. Rollmops are usually bought ready-to-eat, in jars or tubs. The brine additionally consists of water, white vinegar, and salt; it may also contain sugar or other sweetening agents, onion rings, peppercorns and mustard seeds. Rollmops can be eaten cold, without unrolling, or on bread. After the jar has been opened, they will usually keep for two to three weeks if kept cool or refrigerated. Rollmops are sometimes served with Labskaus.

Etymology

The name "rollmops" is German in origin, derived from the words ''rollen'' (to roll) and ''Mops'' meaning

pug The Pug is a breed of dog originally from China, with physically distinctive features of a wrinkly, short-muzzled face and curled tail. The breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, most often light brown (Fawn (colour) ...

or ''fat young boy''. The form ''Rollmops'' is singular, and the plural is ''Rollmöpse''. In English, the term "rollmops" is often treated as the plural of the singular "rollmop". The form "rollmop herrings" is also attested.

Origins

Pickled herring Pickled herring is a traditional way of preserving herring as food by pickling or curing. Most cured herring uses a two-step curing process: it is first cured with salt to extract water; then the salt is removed and the herring is brined i ...

has been a staple in Northern Europe since

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

times, being a way to store and transport fish, especially necessary in meatless periods like

Lent Lent ( la, Quadragesima, 'Fortieth') is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke ...

. The herring would be prepared, then packed in barrels for storage or transportation. Rollmops grew popular throughout Germany during the Biedermeier period of the early 19th century and were known as a particular specialty of Berlin, like the similar pickled herring dish ''Bismarckhering''. A crucial factor in their popularity was the development of the long-range railway network, which allowed the transport of herring from the

North North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography. Etymology The word ''north ...

and Baltic seas to the interior. The fish was pickled to preserve it and transported in wooden barrels. In pubs in Old Berlin, it was common to have high-rising glass display cases known as ''Hungerturm'' (meaning "hunger tower") on the bar to present ready-to-eat dishes like lard bread, salt eggs, meatballs, ''

mettwurst Mettwurst () is a strongly flavored German sausage made from raw minced pork preserved by curing and smoking, often with garlic. The southern German variety is soft and similar to Teewurst. Braunschweiger mettwurst is partially smoked but stil ...

'', and of course rollmops. Nowadays rollmops are commonly served as part of the German ''Katerfrühstück'' (hangover breakfast) which is believed to restore some electrolytes.

Distribution

Rollmops are eaten in Europe and South America, as well as in areas of the United States and Canada. In Czechia and Slovakia rollmops (''zavináč'') are so well known that they gave rise to the name for the @ sign.

References

{{herrings Czech cuisine German cuisine North German cuisine Lithuanian cuisine Polish cuisine Scottish cuisine Slovak cuisine Herring dishes Lenten foods

Presentation

Etymology

Origins

Distribution

See also

References