Ingredient: Haddock
Category: Fish
Season: All
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), also known as Finnan Haddie.
Haddock, a member of the Cod family is a marine fish found on both sides of the North Atlantic.
Haddock is most commonly found at depths of 40m to 133m, but has a range as deep as 300m. It thrives in temperatures of 2°C to 10°C (36°F to 50°F). Juveniles prefer shallower waters and larger adults deeper water.
Generally, adult Haddock do not engage in long migratory behaviour, as do the younger fish, but seasonal movements have been known to occur across all ages.
Haddock feed primarily on small invertebrates, although larger members of the species may occasionally consume fish.
The most important spawning grounds are in the waters off middle Norway near southwest Iceland, and Georges Bank.
An average-sized female produces approximately 850,000 eggs, and larger females are capable of producing up to 3 million eggs each year.
Haddock is a popular food fish it is easily recognized by a black lateral line running along its white side, not to be confused with Pollock which has the reverse, i.e. white line on black side, and a distinctive dark blotch above the pectoral fin, often described as a "thumbprint" or even the "Devil's thumbprint" or "St. Peter's mark".
Haddock is a smaller white fish than cod, arguably with a finer flavour – we certainly think so in Scotland, where this is the first choice for fish and chips.
It is gorgeous eaten pristinely fresh, with or without batter, but sadly is over-fished and under threat.
It is also particularly good smoked, so much so that if you are ever offered haddock in France smoked fish is what you will get (fresh haddock there goes by the, to us, amusing name of colin).
Haddock is not usually available beyond 3.5kg.
The flesh is not as white as Cod, and is not as flaky, but has a slightly sweeter taste, which is why Haddock is the best whitefish for smoking.
Taste: medium, sweet
Texture: Medium
Oil content: Low
Haddock is shipped fresh from the North east of Scotland, daily (usually overnight) to all major cities in the United Kingdom.
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