Potlatch Salmon with Juniper Marinade

Pacific Northwest Coast Indians used to celebrate the start of salmon season with a traditional feast known as a potlatch. At this festival, the host gave away everything he had to his guests, to impress them with his status and generosity. As part of the ceremony, the first of the season’s salmon or halibut was served. The fish was nailed to a board, rubbed with a mixture of salt, sugar, and juniper, then smoked over wood fires. Of course fish is still prepared this way, festival or not. T