What to look out for when shopping for fish

WHOLE FISH

SKIN: Select fish with taut, shiny skin (if the scales are lifting, it’s been sitting there a while).
SPRINGY: The flesh should bounce back when pressed with your finger.
SPARKLING: Look for eyes that are bright, clear and shiny.
SEA: If you’re on the coast, go to a fish market and get it right off the boats.

Where to shop for fresh fish:

DURBAN: Victoria Street Market
CAPE TOWN: Kalk Bay Harbour
PORT ELIZABETH: Fisherman’s Fresh, PE harbour

FILLETS

DENSE: Look for solid flesh with no gaps or layers.
DRY: Avoid it if fluid has accumulated at the bottom of the packaging.
DATE: Pick the pack with the furthestaway use-by date.

IS ‘FRESH’ FISH ALWAYS FRESH?

Not always… Fish sold as ‘fresh’ has sometimes been previously frozen (for example, on board trawlers, which can stay at sea for a week or two at a time).

 

ALSO SEE OCTOPUS SALAD RECIPE 

Octopus salad