How to Buy Fresh Fish

Appears in
The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood: Culinary Treasures from Our Waters
The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood

By John Ash

Published 2023

  • About

  • The eyes should be bright, clear, and big, not sunken.
  • The gills of a whole fish should be bright and red, not dark and dried out looking.
  • The flesh should be firm, moist, and elastic. It should not leave an indentation when you press it.
  • The skin on a fish should be moist and viscous. The natural “slimy” coating on the skin of a fin fish is actually a good thing and a sign of a very fresh fish; it helps to keep the fish from drying out and extends its shelf life a bit. Wash it off before cooking.