5 tips to help you buy fresh fish
Jennifer Chandler
Seafood is healthy to eat because it is a lean protein filled with vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It is also the only natural source of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These healthy fats provide heart-protective properties and have been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease death.
The National Institutes of Health recommends that we eat one to two servings per week for optimal health.
Another plus to seafood is that it is quick and easy to cook.
Here are five tips for buying fresh fish at your local market.
1. Know your shop: Choose a seafood counter that has several fish deliveries weekly. Thanks to overnight services most good markets get deliveries as many as five days a week.
2. Look at it: When you are shopping for a piece of fish, it is important to look at it. Fresh fillets should be plump and moist. If a fillet looks dry on the edges, that means it is older and has not been stored properly. A whole fish should have clear eyes and shiny scales.
3. Smell it: It is important for a fresh piece of fish to not really smell like fish. If it’s overly fishy-smelling, it is past its prime.
4. Cook immediately: Ideally, fresh fish should be cooked the same day you purchase it. If you get home and you decide you aren’t going to cook that piece of fish that day, you should plan to cook it within 48 hours.
5. Buy sustainable fish: Choose seafood that is fished or farmed in ways that have less impact on the environment. Seafoodwatch.com is an excellent source for information on wildcaught and farmed seafood. The handy online guide lists fish that are the best choice to buy as well as what to avoid.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@ commercialappeal.com, and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.