Product Review: Yehuda Gefilte Fish

Over the years, I have reviewed several of the Passover offerings at Costco (e.g., Product Review x3: Meal Mart Passover kugels); (Product Review: World of Chantilly Passover 7-layer cake)). Oddly enough, despite it being a classic Passover food, I have never reviewed the gefilte fish.

Gefilte fish is a staple for many during Passover. However, it definitely does not have aesthetic appeal! Sold in jars with a few carrot slices and a disgusting looking gel (can I sell it or what??), it consists of essentially patties of matzo meal and different types of white fish (often carp and pike). Different brands have slightly different tastes with some being sweeter than others but most of it tastes essentially the same. 

Many years ago, Costco sold a delicious version. It was the Rokeach brand and came in large cans. The cans contained very large pieces of fish (2-3 times a typical piece). It had a slightly sweet taste and was very dense. My family still misses this fish. 

The current product is made by Yehuda and is it a product of Israel. Costco sells the gefilte fish in packs of two 24-ounce jars. Each jar contains six pieces of fish (each about the size of half of a palm). This fish is quite good. It is slightly sweet and relatively dense. It can be eaten at room temperature but is slightly better cold. Many people add horseradish to the fish but I often eat it plain. I actually had also eaten a version without matzo meal during the week  and found them to taste quite similar. I often eat the entire jar as a meal but many eat a piece or two as an appetizer. It is good with side dishes, such as potatoes and vegetables.

What are your thoughts on gefilte fish? This brand? Does anyone remember those old Rokeach cans?