The
torpedo can deliver hefty electric shocks, up to 200 volts according
to fishbase.org and the wikipedia. The shocks diminish in intensity
as the animal dies and cease as it does. It is not practical to
attempt to extract the torpedo from the net while it is evidently
alive, and even when it appears dead it can often spark up again. And
so it can never be returned to the water alive, unless it drops from
the net as it comes over the roller and can be teased out through a
scupper with the toe of a welly, or grabbed by the tail and flung. It
appears to be the torpedo's back that shocks or the distinctive blue
spots themselves, I've never touched one in such a way as to be
shocked intentionally. Please excuse this lack of scientific fibre,
I'm no Stephen Maturin.
Though
they are widely thought to be uneatable, fishermen have always cooked
them and I've found they make fine food. The difficulty, if there is
one, is in preparing them for the pan as you have to peel off the
tough skin—a task best performed on the dock, or outside at least.
Many fishy jobs can cause havoc in the kitchen.
Torpedo 'wings' with torpedo livers and sea snails.
5 comments:
Ben,
The fish you've pictured lately are species I have never seen here on the east Pacific coast. I have to admit some reserve if it came to experimentation and would need to depend on someone like you for recommendations. This torpedo, for instance, seems a fish I would pass on, though our lowly flounder is also a strange looking bottom feeder, yet delicious.
I remember days when tuna and salmon were the fish of choice here and bottom feeders were considered uneatable. But no more. A batter-fried rock cod costs real money in a fancy restaurant today.
Michael,
fast swimming migratory fish have always appealed more than those that root in the ooze hence their present sorry state. The more I explore the more I realise that very little is uneatable and that when it comes to taste freshness is the key. Expect to find more dishes from the depths here, including flounder, in the future.
All the best
Ben
Hi everybody,
The Chinese say they eat everything that moves under the sea except submarines.
I know that fish, had a bad experience when I was a child. Torpedo, is a a kind of ray and nobody (fisherman, and local people) eat it nowadays in my own town. I'm writting from an island located on the west Mediterranean. The reason why we don't eat it is because, as you said Torpedo is a very inusual catch and not apreciated on a table too. Anyway we do apreciate other kind of rays and small sharks.
In spite of that something must be said, ancient romans ate that fish, we know it because there is a recipe in Apicius book. You can see it on (book IX seafood)http://www.gutenberg.org/files/29728/29728-h/29728-h.htm
Joan
very well written blog. you have very good command on writting. i like it.
Rent a yacht in Dubai
Hi,
Let me show you an amazing mosaic from Pompei, where you can catch your fish in a very realistic way, and some other especies from the Mediterranean sea as well.
I hope you enjoy it, and try to fish or intentifiy them.
http:www.trekearth.comgalleryEuropeItalyCampaniaNaplesNaplesphoto653868.htm
Joan
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