‘For the Health of It Event’ with Oldways

I was invited to attend an event sponsored by Oldways and Kwik’pak Fisheries called For the Health of It.  The event introduced us to the benefits of salmon, specifically Wild Yukon Salmon, through a seminar, a cooking demonstration, and tastings.  

Dr. Dariush Mazaffarian, from the Harvard School of Public Health, gave a very informative lecture about the benefits of seafood & Omega-3s.  Salmon has the highest Omega-3 content of all seafood.  You can read a bit more about that here. It is recommended that you eat two servings of fish per week, particularly salmon, which helps prevent heart disease.  I definitely do not eat as much fish as I should weekly and am going to be changing my eating habits.

Next up was Jack Shultheis, the general manager of Kwik’pak fishieries, who shared the story of the fishery, Emmonak, Alaska & the Yupik people. I find it so interesting to know where my food actually comes from that his story left me wanting to know more about this area I had never really thought about before.

My favorite part of the event was the cooking demonstration.  Jeff Tenner & Pete Doire of Legal Seafood showed us two ways to prepare the Salmon, which I immediately wanted to run home and try.  The two recipes they made were a Brown Bag Salmon and a Salmon Ceviche.  I knew once I saw the Brown Bag Salmon I would have to try that as soon as possible.  (You can find my recipe here).

Oldways paired the Salmon with delicious Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine.

We were finally able to try some of the delicious Yukon Salmon that we had just learned so much about.  It was served with a few different sauces.  I chose to have the Mango Cilantro Salsa.

After we finished eating, Ellen and Humphrey Keyes and Matilda Oktoyuk spoke about their way of life in Emmonak, Alaska, fishing for the salmon, and all the traditions they continue to perform and pass along to their children.  It was a great way to end a wonderful event.

(Steven)