Yes, whiting fish is a whitefish, but they’re not the same thing.
This sea fish has been getting the spotlight recently, and it’s not without reason.
But what’s more surprising about it is its history, the long era of being overlooked, and becoming a sudden target of overfishing.
Now, what does whiting fish taste like that makes it a thing of value? Where can you find one, and how will you cook it? All your answers are only a few scrolls away, so scroll on.
What is Whiting Fish?
Commonly known by its scientific name, Merlangius merlangus, whiting fish is one prominent whitefish (fish that has white flesh) in the Atlantic Ocean.
It makes a significant item in the diets of the regions around the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic Ocean.
The fish is easy to identify because of its three distinct dorsal fins, which have around 30 to 40 rays.
Also, each of their pectoral fins has a black blotch.
With a small and elongated body, this fish appears dark blue or yellowish-brown in color.
When looked at a glance, whiting fish looks similar to pollock.
This fish can grow up to 3 ft (36 inches) long and weigh around 1.5 lbs at max.
So the next time you find one that matches these specifications, you’ll know what you’ve fished.
Back in the day when the fish wasn’t classified as a vulnerable species, whiting fish was quite cheap and many considered it a poor man’s meal.
Today it is prized for its health benefits and delectable flavor.
What Does Whiting Fish Taste Like?
Whiting fish have several names; Pacific whiting, hake, and Pacific whiting are some common ones.
It tastes mild and delicately sweet, somewhat like cod.
But unlike cod, its texture is soft and not too flaky, making it suitable for many cooking methods.
The fish will stay firm and have a decent look when served.
One significant positive about this fish is that it doesn’t taste too fishy.
So, people who dislike eating fish for its smell can find it suitable to their taste.
Also, it doesn’t come under the category of bony fish.
You can easily remove the few bones in the spine and upper body, so your food won’t get cold while you’re removing them.
The nutrition it has is quite impressive. In a 100-gram serving of whiting fish, you’ll receive 86 calories.
That includes 19 g of protein, 1 g of fat, and some vitamins and minerals, namely, vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron.
As you can see, this fish is a good source of protein; you can use this reasonably-priced fish to achieve your daily protein intake.
In addition, it is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids– the power nutrients to boost many areas of your body at once.
So, consuming this fish will help lower blood pressure, decrease the risk of heart diseases, improve blood circulation, and many more.
Considering all their benefits, we can say it’s a big catch in a small fish.
How to Cook and Use Whiting Fish?
One interesting thing about whiting fish is that it is an excellent option for salmon and tuna recipes.
While you can trade it in for any of their recipes, it is also used in a signature product– the imitation crab ( or crab stick).
Below are some other exciting ways to cook this fish:
- Pan-fry the fish after seasoning it with plain salt and pepper.
- Add them to a vegetable stew.
- Bake the fish in foil with a mix of seasonings.
- Roast or barbecue the fish whole.
- Deep-fry the fillets after breading.
Now, how will you make the best use of this delicious fish? One simple rule while cooking it is not to overcook it.
If you do, it’ll ruin everything that’s good about the fish– its texture and flavor.
The way to avoid this is to cook until the fish is evenly cooked at a medium to low temperature.
Also, when you buy a whiting fish, make sure you buy fresh ones that don’t smell pungent.
You can even identify them by looking at the fish’s eyes; they should be shiny.
Despite its many positives, fishes from the sea are prone to mercury contamination.
So, before you head out to a fishmonger’s, keep track of all the latest news and spatial mapping to avoid mercury poisoning.
Final Thought
If you love eating fish but find the pricy ones too much for regular consumption, Whiting fish has your back.
Besides its flavor, this fish is also full of essential nutrients, so more and more people like to include it in their diets whenever they come across one.
These fish is everything you want your ideal fish to be– tasty, firm, less bony, healthy, and affordable.
So, the next time you find a fish matching the physical description mentioned above, look at it.
It just might be whiting fish, and it’ll make your day a shade better.
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