Most of us are familiar with the shorter skinnier versions of fish – the lake fish and the ocean fish. But what about the long skinny fish?
You may have seen them when you’re out on the water – often seen swimming with the herring or shad species. These fish can get quite a bit longer than your average small-shaped fish. Some species can grow up to six feet and weigh over a hundred pounds. So, not only are they big on the outside but they’re also quite the culinary delights on the inside as well.
These fish have a high meat to bone ratio. That means you can pick them clean, without a lot of skin and bones left over. This makes them a great option for those who want to add some oomph to their diet. Or for those who just like a certain taste that only the larger species can provide.
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The Benefits Of Eating A Long Skinny Fish
There are a number of benefits to eating a long skinny fish. First off, they provide a nice change of pace from your average small bite-sized fish. Second, they have a nice texture to them where the meat is almost pulled right off the bone. The fat on these guys is also quite flavorful.
The long skinny fish also tend to stay fresh for a while. Because they are fairly large, they don’t swim in large schools like the herring or shad. This means they don’t tend to gather into clumps that can become moldy or decaying. This also means you can catch them whenever you want without worrying about them being stale.
How Do You Cook A Long Skinny Fish?
There are several different ways you can cook a long skinny fish. You can either bake, broil, or deep fry them. The choice is up to you. If you’re feeling particularly inventive, you can also stuff them and then grill or broil them. So, there are really no limits to the types of cuisine you can cook with a long skinny fish.
One thing you may want to keep in mind is the thickness of the fish. The larger the fish, the thicker it will be. This means you will need to make more frequent purchases of wooden spoons and slabs of marble cake. If you’re new to cooking fish, start out thin and then once you get the hang of it, go thicker. You should also use a gentle cooking method so you don’t break down the long strands of flesh too much. Most seafood should be cooked gently so that the flavor infuses into the fish rather than the outside of the fish becoming overcooked before the inside is even touched.
The Different Types Of Long Skinny Fish
If you’re not familiar, there are several different varieties of long skinny fish. The choice is vast and you’ll find something suitable for everyone’s taste. Here are just a few of the more popular ones:
Sturgeon
This is probably the most iconic and recognizable of all the long skinny fish. Commonly mistaken for an amphibian because of their gills, sturgeon are a type of fish that are actually native to cold water. That means lakes and ponds at the very least. In fact, many sturgeon are quite large and can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh over a thousand pounds. While this might sound like a lot, it’s still quite a bit smaller than the average human being. This is mainly due to the fact that most adults don’t eat seafood and far fewer people are fishing these days. Which means the sturgeon population is thriving.
Sturgeon are quite the fatty fish and they have an extremely high meat to bone ratio. This means you will likely need lots of napkins or towel after cleaning your plate. They also have a high mineral content which means they’re quite the healthy option. The oil contained in their flesh is also quite tasty and has a number of health benefits. It has been known to boost the immune system and lower cholesterol. All of this makes the humble sturgeon one of the most popular varieties of long skinny fish available today.
Osprey
Also known as the fish hawk, the osprey is one of the largest birds of prey and they are known for their beautiful hues of blue and gold. These guys are also quite the fatty fish, similar to the sturgeon, but they tend to be a little leaner. Depending on the species, the osprey can get quite large, approaching 12 feet long and weighing over 300 pounds. Like the sturgeon, the osprey is also quite a bit smaller than the average human due to popular food choices and fewer people catching them. Especially now that fishing has become completely illegal in most areas. It’s quite the culinary triumph when an osprey feeds on the fish it has caught.
These birds are quite the culinary delights as well and the flesh is quite tender. They have a high mineral content which means they have a number of health benefits too. This makes them quite the versatile option for those looking to add some oomph to their diet. Or for those who just want to experiment with a new type of seafood.
Arctic Char
Also known as the char, this is another variety of long skinny fish that is native to cold water. Just like the others, the arctic char can grow quite large. Some species can get quite lengthy, approaching 15 feet and weighing over a thousand pounds. These are quite the fatty fish as well and a lot of fun to eat. They also have a high mineral content, similar to the others, which makes them quite the healthy option as well. Like the others, you will need to use a lot of paper towels to clean your plate because they have a high meat to bone ratio. This means you will not be eating the typical white fish but instead a gorgeous, deep, dark orange fish.
Where Can You Buy A Long Skinny Fish?
There are several places you can buy a long skinny fish. You can find them at the local market or you can ask the fishmonger at the seafood store you shop at. Most markets and fish stores will have at least a few varieties of long skinny fish to choose from. So, you should have no trouble finding what you’re looking for.
Final Thoughts
While there are many benefits to eating a long skinny fish, there are also a few things you need to keep in mind. First, make sure you get a fresh one. Frozen and canned varieties of fish will be spoiled quite easily and the texture is quite different as well. Second, make sure you know how to cook it correctly. Most of the large fish mentioned here are quite fatty and if you’re not used to eating a lot of oils or greasy food, you may find it quite challenging to prepare. Third, make sure you eat a wide variety of seafood. If you’re not familiar, there are several different varieties of fish that are categorized as white fish. These are usually the more boring varieties of fish and they don’t contain a lot of nutrients. As mentioned before, most people refrain from eating these fish varieties and that means there are often a lot of available seats at the table for the larger and more colorful varieties. This is something to keep in mind when deciding what to order at the restaurant.