Editor’s Note: Big thanks to Double light smokehouse for complementary samples used for this review. They were exceptional!
We live in a time where if you don’t own a smoker/BBQ, at least you know someone who does. Smoked meats, traditional barbecue, charcuterie boards are all popular and rightfully so. Smoked fish and seafood have also undergone a makeover among foodies and are now more available than ever. Smoking fish, mussels and other seafood is an extraordinary metamorphosis. Smoking can even transform a polarizing species like bluefish into something fantastic.
Supermarkets, gourmet shops, farmers’ markets and online are common places to find smoked fish. However, not all of these smokers are created equal. The spectrum is quite broad in terms of quality, taste and ingredients. Good thing there’s a local, artisanal smokehouse right here in Gloucester that stands out among the rest. Twin Light Smokehouse has gained market share the old fashioned way: by creating delicious, consistently high quality smoked seafood in America’s oldest seaport.
Information about the Twin Light Smokehouse
Twin Light Smokehouse is based in Gloucester, Massachusetts and began life as Sasquatch Smokehouse. Sasquatch is the nickname of a well-known local fisherman/musician who started the smokehouse in the former Cape Ann Forge building along the Annisquam River. In 2020 the smokehouse was purchased by Cape Ann Fresh Catch.
Fresh catch from Cape Ann is a local, women-owned business that has grown to become America’s largest community-supported fishery (CSF). The organization uses locally caught fish in its programs and this directly supports our local fishing community. The cultured mussels and farmed Norwegian salmon used by Twin Light Smokehouse come from certified sustainable producers.
Twin Light Smokehouse operations help Cape Ann Fresh Catch operate as a zero-waste, community-supported fishery. They smoke all fresh fish not sold through their seasonal quotas and reuse unused smoked fish in finished products. Transforming them into delicious spreads or limited edition special offers.
Dual light smoker product line
Twin Light Smokehouse uses honest, simple ingredients throughout their product line to allow the fish and shellfish to shine. When you start with fresh local haddock, mussels and high-quality Norwegian salmon, there’s no need to overload with flavors or additives. I have my share of digestive issues and food allergies and am always shocked when I see soy used as an additive in seafood. I’m not allergic to soy, but it doesn’t agree with me, except for soy sauce without additives. Twin Light Smokehouse proudly states on their website that their products are soy-free.
Double light smoked salmon
The company has three types of smoked salmon: traditional hot smoked, peppery smoked and salmon with bacon. If you’ve ever been dissatisfied with a piece of dried smoked salmon, check out Twin Light. Salmon is dripping with natural fish oils right out of the package. Do yourself a favor and drizzle that smoked salmon nectar onto some crusty bread – you won’t be disappointed.
Even with peppered salmon, Twin Light doesn’t overload the fish with extra flavor. They keep the ingredients simple and you really taste the moist, flavorful salmon as the main note. If you’ve served either type of hot smoked salmon at a party, I can pretty much guarantee that your guests will ask where you got it.
Light smoked twin mussels
This is probably the company’s most popular product among anglers I know. When I said I was tasting Twin Light Smokehouse, everyone said I had to try the mussels. I understand why they’re popular: mussels are meaty, flavorful, and smoky. They are smoked with salt, sugar, herbs and spices and packaged in canola oil. So far I’ve enjoyed them straight out of the container, but there are so many ways to use these tasty nuggets in interesting tapas and starters.
Smoked Twin Light spreads
Smoked salmon spread is delicious and addictive, but for me it’s a little dangerous due to the high FODMAPs. It’s similar to herbed salmon cream cheese, but has a much smokier salmon flavor. The smoked mussel cream is creamy, smoky and very rich, a light cream is all you need for an explosion of flavour. Many of New England’s old-school seafood and steakhouses serve crackers and savory spreads when you’re seated. These spreads remind me of an updated variation that you’ll spread on toast, bagels, and crackers.
Double Light Smoked Haddock – Finnan Haddie
The smokehouse also produces traditional cold-smoked haddock, better known as finnan haddie. This is a New England and Canadian Maritimes favorite that is poached in milk before serving. I won’t go in depth here as I plan to feature their finnan haddie in an upcoming recipe. Stay tuned.
Where to buy Twin Light Smokehouse products
Twin Light Smokehouse products can be found locally and online through Cape Ann Fresh Catch. Check out the list of stores in the Boston area on their website. Even more exciting is the news that Twin Light Smokehouse is now available at Whole Foods. The products stand out from the competition and I am confident that Twin Light Smokehouse will be available in more locations soon.
Conclusion
The quality of Twin Light Smokehouse is undisputed and starts with its ingredients and continues with the small team that makes it happen. This artisanal smokehouse along the Annisquam River is creating smoked seafood that punches above its weight class. Their smoked seafood is some of the best you’ll find on the market – much fresher and tastier than what you normally see in the supermarket. I highly recommend Twin Light Smokehouse and there’s not much more to say.
