In Europe the common, or Dover sole Solea solea , turbot Scophthalmus maximus and the European plaice Pleuronectes platessa are currently the most valuable flatfishes. Turbot is still an important, but increasingly expensive, food fish that is now farm-raised is several European countries. Of lesser importance, but common in fish markets is the European flounder Platichthys flesus.
The common dab Limanda limanda was once considered a trash fish, but is now harvested commercially and is being pushed by celebrity chefs as an alternative to the overfished stocks. On the North American side of the Atlantic, the summer flounder or fluke Paralichthys dentatus is a very important commercial species that is known for its firm but mild white flesh. The winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus , also sold as blackback or lemon sole is another popular species.
Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus , sold as grey sole or torbay sole, is a thin but very delicious species. Pacific species include the popular Petrale sole Psetta jordani , Dover Microstomus pacificus and English Parophrys vetulus sole.
Yellowfin sole Limanda aspera , a small flounder from Alaska, has the largest flounder fishery by landings in the United States. None of these fish from American waters are actually sole, they are species of flounder that are marketed as various types of sole , mostly because they either look or taste somewhat like true sole.
Other commercially available Pacific flounder include Pacific sanddab Citharichthys sordidus , arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias , and California halibut Paralichthys californicus. Flounder is a common sight in fish markets and is sold fresh whole or in fillets as well as in frozen fillets. Flounder fillets should be fresh looking, never dried out or ragged and most have a white to off-white color.
The fillets should be free of worms, which can be easily seen since flounder fillets are very thin. If you do find a worm in the fillet just remove it with tweezers. For frozen flounder take a good look at the fish and check the date on the package.
The thin fillets can get freezer burned very easily, which ruins not just the taste of flounder but the texture as well. Most of the flounders have similar tastes, but texture, color and thickness of the fish differ. Overall, it is easy to switch one out for the other which is why fish sellers play the name game with them. Even where I live, I see menus selling broiled sole, or fried sole sandwiches. The taxonomic order Flatfish comes from the fact that its constituent members have flat bodies.
This grouping includes sole, flounder, plaice and halibut. The term "sole" refers specifically to fish in the family Soleidae in the order Pleuronectiformes. It represents 30 genera and families of fish.
The term "flounder" refers to fish in the families Achiropsettidae, Pleuronectidae, Paralichthyidae and Bothidae. While both sole and flounders have flat bodies, each one has some subtle differences that set it apart.
Both fish have evolved flat bodies with both eyes facing upward to protect themselves against predators and to aid them in hunting. However, most sole tend to be "right-eyed," meaning the right side of their bodies faces upward. Flounders have more variation between being right-eyed and left-eyed. Interestingly, flatfish start life with one eye on each side of their bodies, and they spend this early developmental stage swimming. As they grow, one eye migrates to the fish's dominant side, and they start living on sandy ocean floors.
Anglers on the east coast of the United States have the opportunity to catch flounder fresh in the inland waters. Fresh is always best when compared to buying seafood from a market.
Online fish markets are an excellent resource for sourcing fillets. Next-day door front delivery is available online, and the fillets are guaranteed to be fresh. Fortunately, you will not confuse the two during a day of fishing because they live in different oceans. Despite one being a pacific fish and the other an atlantic fish, the fillets are similar in appearance and taste. The next time you visit the grocery store pick up flounder and sole for a side-by-side comparison.
Remember, substitute one for the other when your recipe calls for a flatfish. You must be logged in to post a comment. Sole Vs. What Does A Sole Look Like One unique characteristic of the sole is the fact that it is incredibly slippery when handled by anglers. Where Do Flounder Live Much like the sole extending along the entire west coast of the United States and Canada, the flounder extends from Nova Scotia to Florida along the east coast of the atlantic.
How Can You Purchase Flounder And Sole Believe it or not, most grocery stores, whether fresh or frozen, carry both flounder and sole fillets. Share this post. Related Posts. The gray snapper, also known as the mangrove snapper, is a highly sought-after species by recreational and commercial fishermen. There are a considerable number of snappers in the family.
The snowy grouper, also known as a golden grouper, is a deep water species caught by specialized gear in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
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