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Food-Service-Manual-for-Health-Care-Institutions

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harvesting and processing. This task becomes more difficult when markets are far from the<br />

source. For this reason, a large percentage of fish on the market is sold frozen.<br />

Frozen Fish<br />

Frozen fish, if properly processed, packaged, and stored, shows no sign of freezer burn.<br />

Packages are free from dripping and ice. IQF fillets and steaks are best to purchase (except <strong>for</strong><br />

breaded fish products). The fish should have little or no odor. If handled properly, frozen fish<br />

will remain in good condition <strong>for</strong> relatively long periods. If the fish is purchased as a ready-tocook<br />

breaded product, the ratio of fish to breading should be checked to ensure that the department<br />

is getting its money’s worth of fish.<br />

Shellfish<br />

Shellfish is marketed live or cooked whole in the shell, headless, or shucked. The meat can be<br />

purchased fresh or frozen, cooked or raw, plain or breaded, and canned. Shellfish purchased live<br />

in the shell must be kept alive until cooked. Buyers of fresh shellfish should be well acquainted<br />

with their source of supply and should check to make sure that the products have been harvested<br />

from uncontaminated waters. A high proportion of shellfish is marketed frozen, and the quality<br />

characteristics of frozen shellfish are the same as those described <strong>for</strong> other frozen fish.<br />

Market Forms of Fish and Shellfish<br />

Fresh and frozen fish are available in several <strong>for</strong>ms, some of which are as follows:<br />

• Whole or round: just as it comes from water; sometimes scales are removed<br />

• Whole and dressed: scales, entrails, and usually the head, tail, and fins are removed<br />

• Dressed: scales, head, tails, fins, and entrails removed<br />

• Steaks: cross-sectional slices are cut from large dressed fish with the skin off, usually<br />

5 ⁄8- to 3 ⁄4-inch thick; must specify portion size<br />

• Fillets: the sides of fish are cut lengthwise, away from the bone; fillets are practically<br />

boneless and come with or without skin<br />

• Drawn: eviscerated through a small opening but not split; gills and scales may be<br />

removed, but head and tail still on<br />

• Butterfly fillet: both sides of the fillet connect at the top<br />

• Portions and sticks: large, solid, frozen blocks of boneless fish are machine cut. Pieces<br />

are dipped in batter or breading and may or may not be partially cooked. The designation<br />

precooked means that only the batter or breading is cooked and that the fish is raw.<br />

Fillets are available in many shapes and sizes and are ready to cook as purchased.<br />

Currently, many other seafood products are processed and sold in convenience <strong>for</strong>m, either<br />

frozen or in a freeze-dried state. Frozen fish fillets or portions may be filled with stuffing, sauce,<br />

or nuts. Shrimp and crab are available freeze-dried, which helps reduce the amount of labor<br />

involved in preparation. Both products can be stored <strong>for</strong> long periods because they are cooked<br />

and cleaned be<strong>for</strong>e being frozen, freeze-dried, or canned. Reconstitution in water takes little<br />

time, the flavor and color are good, and the cost may be less than that of the fresh product at<br />

certain times of the year.<br />

Specifications <strong>for</strong> Fish and Shellfish<br />

When developing specifications <strong>for</strong> fresh or frozen fish and shellfish, the following in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

should be included:<br />

Product Selection<br />

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