Episode 265: The Wild Pantry, Part II - Salting and Curing

Episode 265: The Wild Pantry, Part II - Salting and Curing

Author: Harvesting Nature February 26, 2026 Duration: 42:59
Summary In this episode, Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the ancient art of food preservation through salting and curing. They discuss the historical significance of salting, the science behind how it works, and practical applications for home cooks. The conversation delves into the unique considerations for salting fish, the impact of salt on texture and flavor, and the importance of precision in curing. They emphasize that while salting and curing can enhance food, they require careful attention and quality ingredients. The episode concludes with a focus on integrating these techniques into a modern wild pantry approach. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links How To: DIY Cure Chamber Chapters 00:00 The Art of Food Preservation 05:19 Understanding the Science of Salting 13:23 Practical Applications of Salting at Home 21:09 Salting Fish: Unique Considerations 29:42 The Impact of Salting on Texture and Flavor 37:27 Curing and Salting: A Wild Pantry Approach Takeaways You can preserve food without electricity. Salting was historically about keeping food stable, not just flavor. Curing requires precision and measurement, not guesswork. Salt controls water activity, inhibiting microbial growth. Dry brining is an accessible method for home cooks. Fish responds to salt faster than red meat. Curing and salting require attention and intention. Quality of ingredients is crucial for successful curing. Salt can enhance flavor and texture in cooking. Freezing and salting are complementary preservation methods. Keywords Food preservation, curing, salting, wild game, fish, home cooking, food safety, preservation methods, salting science, wild pantry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Townsend and the team from Harvesting Nature host Wild Fish and Game Podcast, a series that treats wild food as a starting point for much wider conversations. Rather than just a collection of tactics or recipes, this podcast digs into the entire cycle of bringing food from the landscape to the table and beyond. You’ll hear discussions that connect the act of hunting or fishing to the rhythms of the season, the specifics of a place, and the cultural traditions that shape our approach to harvest. Episodes move through every stage of the process-the pursuit, the careful work of butchery, the various methods of preservation, and finally, the cooking that turns ingredients into a meal. It’s about the craft involved in each step and how these skills integrate into a practical, meaningful lifestyle. The conversations often explore how these harvested foods are carried through real life, nourishing families and communities. For anyone curious about the depth and connectivity of a life centered on wild foods, this podcast offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at a system that is as much about philosophy and responsibility as it is about sustenance. Tune in for a consistently engaging exploration of what it truly means to know where your food comes from.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 180: Butchering and Cooking Wild Game Top and Bottom Round [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:41
Justin and Adam chat again about butchering and cooking by specific cuts. In this episode, they dive deep into the Top Round and Bottom of Big Game Animals, touching base on techniques, nuances, and recipes for these two…
Episode 177: Snow Goose Culinary Hunting Camp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:12
Justin and Adam chat with all the attendees of our Snow Goose Culinary Camp. They discuss the hunting, the butcher, the cooking, and the eating throughout the whole weekend. They each share their own personal experiences…
Episode 176: Butchering and Cooking Wild Game Skirt and Flank Steak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:17
Justin and Adam chat again about butchering and cooking by specific cuts. In this episode, they dive deep into the Skirt Steak and Flank Steak of Big Game Animals, touching base on techniques, nuances, and recipes for th…

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