Market Report: December 15, 2014

January 6, 2015

sheepshead

-Sheepshead

Best known for their teeth that look like they came from a human mouth, sheepshead are an inshore species and are commonly found around oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks.  They move nearshore during late winter and early spring for spawning.

 

Sheepshead have tough skin, heavy scales and strong fin spines, making them more difficult to clean than most fish. Although sheepshead are difficult to clean, the flesh is excellent. It’s meat is very white and firm with a flavor similar to crabmeat, small grouper and drum. Sheepshead is best prepared pan-fried, broiled, sautéed, or grilled whole. Sheepshead can also be used in soups and chowders, and they can even be used to make imitation crab meat.

 

Like most lean fish, sheepshead cook quickly, so it’s easy to overcook them. When the flesh is cooked for too long, it can get dry and somewhat tough. How can you tell when whole sheepies are done? Watch the backbone – the meat will draw away from the backbone. The flesh on whole dressed fish and in fillets will turn from almost clear to white when completely done.

 

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Notes from our buyer

FRUGE SEAFOODSis proud to announce it will now be the exclusive distributor of PureFish sustainable seafood products for Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. We will now be offering their full line of sustainable and Organic seafood items with direct shipment from Europe to ensure top quality and freshness for our customers.

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Wild Isles Organic Salmon

This E.U Certified Organic salmon is unlike any other farm raised salmon where it is raised in the open ocean of the Shetland Islands, and not in a Loch or Bay like other farms raised salmons. Its certified sustainable aquaculture methods are free from all antibiotics, hormones, & GMO, and its feed is certified organic and uses no synthetic coloring or pigments added. This allows for the quality, taste, and texture of a Wild King salmon to be available year round. You and your customers will taste and see the difference..

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Wild Isles Ocean Trout

All Natural Ocean Trout (Steelhead) begins its life in fresh water land based closed containment recirculation tanks, once these rainbow trout reach maturity, they are then transferred to wild water off the island of Skye in Scotland where the continue their grow-out in salt water until they reach a harvest size of 7-12 lbs each. The result is an amazing sashimi quality ocean trout with a higher fat content then salmon and a great flavor that lends itself to any type of cooking or smoking. This sustainably raised ocean trout is a more sustainable and lower costing than a similar Tasmanian Ocean Trout.

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Anglesey Aquaculture Mediterranean Sea Bass (Bronzino) – Unlike any other Mediterranean sea bass, this is truly sustainable.  Welsh sea bass is raised in a ZERO WASTE land based recirculation farm in Wales, UK. From egg to harvest every detail of its life cycle is cared for and highly monitored to produce the best tasting sea bass using no antibiotics, hormones, and feed free from all GMO’s. Sustainable aquaculture and a zero waste policy (all waste from farms is collected and sold as organic fertilizer to local Welsh farmers) ensures that this sea bass is truly the world’s most sustainable bronzino. You and your customers will truly take the difference and have a boutique product that is only available in 3 cities in North America..

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Mahi is coming in by the boat load.  This product is in a great price point and is beautiful, direct from Costa Rica.  If it’s not already on your menu or specials board, it’s definitely time to take a look.

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Bell Farms Steelhead Trout
We have Bell Farms Steelhead Trout in 10lbs increments. Fillet sizes are 7-9oz skin on boneless fillets.  Bell Farms Trout has been designated Best Choice by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® Program.

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Clams & Mussels

These fresh shellfish options are a great addition to any menu.  A clam chowder or steamed mussels with pasta are great options as the weather starts to cool a little.

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Cod, Sole, and Haddock
These East Coast treats are a great change to your feature board!  With the movement of business travelers and transplants from all over, you don’t want to miss out on some great valued fish to add to your menu or feature board.  We only bring in what you want, so get your pre-orders in now.

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Flounder

East coast flounder has been very difficult to obtain this week due to weather keeping the boats from going out.  Hopefully, this will improve next week.

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East Coast Oysters 
Oyster varieties are awesome right now. Make sure you are signed up for our East Coast Oyster list for availability and prices.

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Redfish & Striped Bass 
Jumbo sized redfish are extremely tight right now, Extra Jumbo is in decent supply. Striped Bass is a better option this time of year.

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Chilean salmon prices are holding and we expect them to rise as we  move through the holidays.  Make sure to maximize your usage while the price is low.  We also stock North Sea and Canadian product in whole and fillet form.  Check with your sales rep for case discounts if you are a volume user.

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Gulf Oysters 
Sacks are steady but not abundant, we are seeing a good supply of  gallons with most of our oyster coming out of Texas. Select gallons are a great product for oyster stuffing.  Prices are down.

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Snapper 
American Red snapper has been very difficult to come by.  We do have Lane Snapper which is a great substitute.  Call your sales rep for all information.

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Scallops 
Scallop prices are slightly up as is normal this time of year. We are exploring every option to get the best price and best quality product.  Please give us feedback on the new beautiful product we are buying straight from the boats.

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Tuna 
We are seeing decent product from the Gulf this week. The holidays will slow fishing down and that will drive prices up.

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Sword 
The sword market seems to have improved this week, so make sure you are maximizing the hearty fish while the price is right.

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Grouper 
The grouper supply is decent this week and  prices are a little better this week.  Let your sales rep know if you are interested in this product.  The grouper supply will continue to be tight as the boats are fishing for octopus.

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Black Drum 
Cold weather has the drum running! We are seeing beautiful fish from Louisiana expect good supply through the coming weeks. Don’t miss out; get with your sales rep for an order.

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Fresh Crabmeat 
Domestic Crabmeat prices are up, and availability is poor. This time of year is very difficult for all crab sources.

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Seabass 
We have a variety of seabass options.  We continue to carry H&G 20-30 kg as well as a smaller 10-20 kg if that is more of what you’re looking for. Prices are moving up and that trend will continue through the holidays.

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Rainbow Green™ and Ruby Trout 
The trout supply seems to be stable.  The variety of the cuts and sizes of this fish never cease to amaze me.  There are many options to meet your menu specifications.