A Cheaper alternative for delicious fish recipes!

Author : teriann

I like to eat fish. I like my fish to be prepared in a variety of ways but I especially like escoveitched fish. There is just something special about the crunchy, crispy and salty taste that keeps me coming back for more!

Unfortunately my desire for fish is not often appeased as I have a strict budget that can not withstand the heavy blow that buying fish on a regular basis would incur.

Expensive Fish Meals

Unless you are purchasing bland fish patties in a fast food restaurant then it is very likely that you will spend up to $2000.00 or more on any seafood dish. Of course lobster and shrimp tend to attract higher prices but purchasing whole fish is still an expensive choice.

I recently went to a seafood restaurant in Kingston where the menu featured whole fish done in a variety of ways for $1500.00. The fish was tasty, but as I contemplated the bill of over $4000.00 for two persons which included sides and drinks, I wondered if it was worth the cost.

Eating out is always more expensive than preparing your own food at home. However purchasing raw fish can also carry a hefty price tag.

Cheaper alternatives

I recently heard in the news that fish back is now being sold as a cheaper option for consumers.

What is fish back?

Well fish back includes the left overs after the meaty sections of the fish have been removed. All that is left are a few bones and small portions of meat clinging to the bone and skin.

Fish back is currently available at several wholesale and retail outlets, including Rainforest Seafood and Wholesale Seafood stores across the Island.

One outlet in the corporate area charges $39 for a pound of fish back.

Is this a feasible option for your fish dishes? Well, I would think that if you are making a fish soup or a fish stew with vegetables then you could replace expensive cuts of fish with fish back. It would not compromise the quality of the meal as the skin and small portions of meat would add to the flavour of the dish.

Would you try this cheaper option? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

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8 Responses to “A Cheaper alternative for delicious fish recipes!”

  1. Smyth Vyrna says:

    I would try the cheaper alternative. A good fish stew or chowder is tasty. People have eaten steamed fish head for a long time.

  2. teriann says:

    Well Vyrna, I have heard of steamed fish head and although I have never tried it, the combination sounds interesting!

  3. Jasper Grant says:

    Before Andrew Holness mentioned it in Parliament, I had absolutely no idea that there was such a thing as ‘fish back’. In fact, I scoffed at the idea and thought it was cheap political hot air. I can’t imagine though, having a meal with fish back on my plate. I’d much prefer a bundle of steamed calaloo as an alternative. Fish back??!! Dwl.

  4. After the fish has being fillet( the removal of the meaty part of the fish the bones are left) and absolutely it can be steamed or use to make soup. IT is very nutritious it is used in the states a lot after we have the fish fillet as some folks prefer the bones out of their fish. Do enjoy..

  5. teriann says:

    Glad to see our American neighbours are making good use of the fish back!

  6. teriann says:

    Well Jasper it has actually been around for quite a while and a number of people purchase and consume it.

  7. Oppie says:

    After watching a demonstration on how to prepare fish back with a twist, I only see it suitable to use in fish tea or fish chowder. I love my fish fleshy especially when steamed or fried. Can you imagine how much bag of bones I’ll have to buy just to ensure that a get a good eating of fish?

  8. teriann says:

    Thanks for sharing Oppie. I guess fish back would be more suitable for fish tea.

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