Cinnamon-Marinated Herring with Onions
(Lithuanian Kūčios Classic)
This is one of those recipes that quietly appears on the table every Christmas Eve in Lithuania. No rush, no heat, no noise — just time, onions, herring, and the unexpected warmth of cinnamon. Simple ingredients, deep tradition.
Ingredients
• 200 g herring fillet
• 3 small yellow onions
• 0.5 l cold water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp vinegar
• 3 tsp cinnamon
Method
Slice onions into thin rings.
Slice herring into bite-size pieces.
In a bowl, mix cold water with sugar and vinegar until dissolved.
In an airtight container or jar, layer onions, herring, and cinnamon.
Repeat layers until all ingredients are used.
Pour marinade over the layers.
Cover and marinate overnight in the refrigerator.