Calling all last-minute holiday shoppers! We got you covered with an Alaska Salmon Gift guide. Even if you are one of the organized gift-givers this season, who have all their gifts wrapped and sent, it’s never too late to give yourself an Alaska salmon present. We’ve rounded up five ideas that will bring joy to anyone including your pets.
1. Alaska Wild Salmon
Of course, number one on the list is Alaska Wild Salmon! With the exception of some winter trolling of king salmon, Alaska salmon is harvested fresh primarily from May to September. But you can still enjoy the taste of frozen, smoked, and canned salmon while waiting for the next season’s fresh offerings.
Large and small fish processors not only sell salmon in-season but they use techniques such as blast freezing to quickly freeze the freshly-harvested salmon. These modern freezing methods are wonderful at preserving the firm texture and fresh taste of salmon, allowing you to enjoy summer’s bounty year-round.
Smoking of meats and fish is one of the oldest preservation methods used by humans. There are different methods of smoking salmon including cold smoke, which is used to create Lox. In this method, the fish are cured under salt, lightly smoked, and at a low temperature. Hot smoked salmon is cured in a brine and smoked at a high temperature.
You can also find Alaska Wild Salmon in cans and pouches, making for great stocking stuffers!
Citizen Salmon Alaska and Kenai Fish are small Cook Inlet processors that offer salmon and other Alaska fish throughout the year.
2. Culinary treats
Although the taste of Alaska Wild Salmon stands out on its own, there are many options for seasoning the fish. Maybe you want to go with a simple herb flavor or kick it up a notch with some spice.
One great gift option is to make your own spice seasonings and rubs to give. A simple internet search will turn up a wealth of seasoning and rub recipe ideas like the Sweet–Smokey–Spicy Alaska Salmon Rub from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.
Or you can purchase some Alaska favorites such as the Salmon Belly Rub from the Alaska Salt Company or the Sweet & Smoky Kelp Seasoning from Barnacle Foods.
3. Jewelry
Fish skin leather is nothing new and has been used in many cultures for pragmatic clothing (like Alaska Native parkas) given its waterproof and resilient properties. Artists are increasingly turning to salmon to make fish skin leather for more ornamental items such as jewelry, bags, and baskets. Beyond Ocean, based in Homer, is sustainably sourcing its leather from commercial catches. And as we shared before, otolith (ear bone) jewelry is another unique gift option.
4. Alaska Native Art
If you are in Anchorage, then a visit to the Craft Shop at the Alaska Native Medical Center is a must! There you will find works from Alaska Native artists from all over the state. Because of the cultural and economic importance of salmon to Alaska Native peoples, you can find traditional and modern art and craft pieces with salmon motifs including silver jewelry, wall art, and carvings. By purchasing gifts here, you’re supporting a scholarship fund for the next generation of Alaska Native leaders, as well as supporting many Alaska Native artists.
5. Don’t forget Fido
Eating salmon is not only healthy for you but it's also healthy for your pets. AlaSkins, based out of Soldotna, offers a variety of dog treats made out of Alaska fish including salmon. You can give your favorite canine whole salmon skins, rolls, or even an edible dog bowl! Other options for your dog or cat include Polkadog’s Alaskan Salmon Chips or Drool Central’s Wild Alaska Salmon Dog Treats.
Okay, you procrastinators out there! Go get your salmon gift shopping done.
