Click on image to go to Author Website

Monday 10 June 2013

You Will Be Glad You Found Fresh Halibut For Sale

By Mara Boone


A highlight for many a fish lover is to find halibut for sale in their favorite restaurant. The restaurant no longer has to be within easy reach of the fishing port. For many a fish gourmet has classed this fish as the 'Steak of Seafood', something which it richly deserves

These are a large flat fish, which can grow to lengths of over 10 feet. They can be found in both the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans, as they prefer the colder waters. They are bottom feeders, and are ideally camouflaged against the sandy or rocky bottom. Although if you view the underside it is pure white.

They're not fussy eaters, and will eat just about anything. A lot of fishermen joke that anything that will fit into the mouth of one of these giants will get eaten. Even the very young fish live on small crabs.

Maybe due to its size there are not many predators for this fish to concern itself with. The main ones are either Killer Whales or sea Lions, although there are a few species of shark that are also known to hunt them. Sadly for this fish, its main predator is man.

These fish are slow developers and do not start breeding until they are approximately 8 years old. At that time they're nearly 30 inches long, so anything below that length is returned to its natural habitat. This is done in the hopes of conserving fish stocks for future generations.

A method known as long line fishing is the usual means of catching these fish. A weighted line has baited hooks at regular points along its length. This is then laid out over the sea bed, where it can remain sometimes for all day. There are a growing number of sport fishermen who are now trying to catch these giants on heavy tackle equipment.

The primary reason why these fish are targeted is that they are a wonderful food source. To look at the flesh is white in color, there are very few bones, and the texture is firm and slightly meaty. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the previously mentioned nickname.

This fish can be cooked in a wide variety of ways. Some of the more popular means being frying, grilling or broiling. The flesh contains a whole range of nutrients, and so does the skin. Many will have heard of the benefits of Omega 3 fish oils, well this is a fish rich in these oils. Which is why you will often see this fish included within so many different diets.

It needs to be cooked carefully or it does have a tendency to dry out. If pan frying, try doing so in a little butter and olive oil, but remember to baste it at regular intervals. Perhaps an easier option is to poach it, this has the advantage of keeping the meaty flesh moist. Cook until it just starts to become a flaky texture, at this time the flesh will have turned opaque.

You can now find halibut for sale at any time of the year. For the best fish the ideal time is during the summer and fall months. However you intend to cook your fish, one thing that you will be sure of is that you will enjoy it.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment