Many people want to eat a healthy, balanced diet and fish has a large part to play in this. Tuna in particular is noted for its nutritional value, offering vitamins, minerals and protein. Its importance is mainly due to the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are said to decrease the risk of heart disease and strokes. This type of fatty acid also helps to control blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and may decrease pain from arthritis. Both yellowfin tuna and blackfin tuna are available to Louisiana ’s fishermen the year around; yellowfin can also be found as either fresh or frozen product in many of our larger supermarkets. Tuna is ideally suited to the making of fish jerky because the raw meat is the perfect medium for absorbing the flavors of a marinade. The recipe below can also be used with other fishes such as Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and red snapper.

¼ cup teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon minced garlic
¼ teaspoon dried tarragon
1-2 pounds tuna steak

With a sharp knife, cut the tuna into strips about 1/4” to 3/8” thick. Mix all marinade ingredients and allow the flavors to blend for 15 minutes. In either a non-metallic covered container or airtight plastic bag, add strips to marinade and refrigerate overnight. Place tuna strips on smoker or dehydrator racks and allow to air dry for about one hour. Smoke the strips at 180-200 degrees with the wood of your choice (mesquite, alder, and pecan work well), or dry in dehydrator until they achieve a chewy consistency. Refrigerate the leftovers.