Ingredient: Hoki
Category: Fish
Season: All
The hoki, blue grenadier, blue hake, New Zealand whiptail, whiptail or whiptail hake, Macruronus novaezelandiae, is a merluccid hake of the genus Macruronus, found around southern Australia, and New Zealand, at depths of between 10 and 1,000 m. Its length is between 60 and 120 cm.
Description
The Hoki has large eyes and a very elongate tapering body ending in a pointed tail consisting of the fusing of the second dorsal fin and the anal fin. There is a short spinous first dorsal fin.
This fish-eating carnivore has a large mouth containing sharp pointed teeth used to catch and eat lantern fish, its main prey, but crustaceans and squid are also taken.
The Hoki’s body colour is pale blue-green above, silver on the sides and belly, and the fins are darker.
The Hoki, is the subject of a large commercial fishery industry in New Zealand, which has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as well-managed and sustainable in March 2001. The first MSC certification ended in April 2007. Reassessment of the certification commenced in early 2005 and finished in October 2007
The Hoki has a white, moist, flaky flash and can be used in recipes that call for any member of the cod family, it is from New Zealand, where there are plentiful supplies.
Like cod, it has a delicate white flesh that flakes easily; it lends itself to a wide spectrum of seasonings, flavourings and sauces and is suitable for most types of cooking.
Some food processors in the U.K. are now using Hoki in their products, as a substitute for cod.
For example "Birds Eye Hoki Fish Fillet Steaks" are now on sale here, the company has the following information on the packaging:
“Birds Eye’s Ocean Friendly guarantee is our commitment to responsible fishing practises. By broadening the range of fish that we use, we can ensure fish stocks for generations to come. To remove the pressure from Cod, Fish Steaks will now be available in New Zealand Hoki.”
Now my dilemma is:
We may be saving the cod stocks, but what about they’re environmental foot print! Food miles! |