Quick Tips on Picking and Preparing Fresh Fish for the Holidays
Picking and preparing fresh fish for the holidays.
Fresh Fish is A Holiday Favorite
On Christmas Eve, families around the world will gather to celebrate the holidays with delectable holiday dishes, and for some, fresh fish will be at the center of their festivities.
The tradition of eating fish on Christmas Eve is believed to be tied to the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from meat or animal fat on certain holy days. It is also a tradition cherished by Italian-American culture, and is commonly referred to as the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
“Fish is a holiday favorite in many religions and cultures around Christmas time. It’s not only appetizing, but it’s also very healthy,” said Dr. Brian Nerrie, Cooperative Extension aquaculture specialist at Virginia State University.
While there are many great recipes for cooking tasty fish and seafood dishes, the key ingredient is freshness.
“Fresh fish has a limited shelf life, so it’s important to buy fish that is fresh and to cook it promptly,” he says. “And since most fish is shipped frozen, proper care should be taken in thawing, handling and preparing seafood.”
Nerrie manages 57 fish ponds at VSU’s Randolph Farm and recommends these tips for keeping your holidays meals merry and bright.
Freshness
· Pick fish from a good source.
· Fish has a limited shelf life of less than 4 days.
Thawing frozen fish since most fish varieties are frozen
· Gradual method: Thaw fish in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
· Rapidly: Place fish in a re-sealable plastic bag submerged in hot water for 5 minutes. The fish is ready when it bends easily.
· Rapidly: Thaw in microwave using a low defrost mode until the fish is pliant but not dried out. Can be cooked immediately.
Temperature: Hold at less than 40 F.
Cleaning:
· Wash your hands.
· Use a sharp knife to limit slippage of the blade.
· Clean surfaces with hot, soapy water.
· Do not process fish in the same area and time with other food items.
· Keep juices from raw fish from coming into contact with other foods.
Clean up:
· Freeze waste and deposit in the trash on garbage collection day. Doing so prevents the fish smell from stinking up your garbage.