Eat Locally, Fish Globally

By Suzette Martinez Standring.

Ah, the wonders of the deep.

Why not go beyond the predictability of cod, salmon, and haddock? In Southeastern Massachusetts, fresh fish lovers can discover the glories of grouper, mackerel, and red snapper. But where to go to buy? I grew up in a Filipino family in San Francisco, and every Sunday we went to markets in Chinatown where tanks of live fish were commonplace. My shopping experience was rooted in the smell of brine, the flash of silver scales, the firm touch of fish flesh. Now living in Milton, I prefer to seek out the widest variety of fresh seafood, and Asian, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean fish markets are a favorite source.

Kam Man Food

Quincy has a large Asian, fish-loving population; therefore, hard-to-find seafood is widely available. For example, Kam Man Foods is the area’s largest Asian market. Live tanks hold tilapia, lobsters, and crabs. Scoop up a small bucket of periwinkles. Grab a bundle of razor clams for grilling. It’s a seafood lover’s dream with 30 varieties of fresh fish—perch, flounder, and bass—lined up on ice-filled counters. Outside of Hawaii, parrotfish, beautiful in blue and green iridescence, is rarely sold. Yet on occasion, they are available at Kam Man. The exotic varieties change, but standards such as fresh salmon, cod, and others are featured daily.

Tips at the Counter

Due to the potential for a language barrier, there is a sign above the Kam Man fish counter with illustrations for 1) scale the fish; 2) clean the fish; or 3) filet the fish. Just point to what you need and give the numeric sign by hand. If desired, use the universal gesture for “cut off the head.”

Here’s a tip regarding service at some Asian fish counters which, typically, are frequented mainly by Asians. Often the salespeople do not speak English. It would appear that whoever gets the attention of the fishmonger gets service first, and “being in line” doesn’t matter.

The trick is to keep a keen eye for when your turn comes up and to be assertive about it. Raise your hand and announce loudly, “I’m next!” and insist on taking your turn. No one will take offense. It’s just the way things are done.

New Bedford Dining and Amaral’s Fish Market

Some restaurants in New Bedford, a city renowned for its thriving Portuguese community, offer Mediterranean favorites. “Best Restaurant” lists feature Portuguese, Greek, Italian, and Lebanese cuisine where fish dishes are part of destination menus. Home cooks boast their own family recipes using specialty seafood. At Amaral’s Fish Market, for example, one day’s fresh offerings featured branzini (Mediterranean sea bass), red perch, whiting, and squid. They pride themselves on offering authentic Portuguese cuisine that everyone can enjoy, including bacalhau, a dried and salted Cod. Amaral’s online presence also includes other seafood from Portugal such as sardines (a national delicacy) and tuna.

Shopping at Portugalia and Vincente’s

Portugalia Marketplace, in Fall River, does not have a fresh fish counter but offers a dizzying array of bacalhau. A large freezer holds frozen octopus from around the globe—the Philippines, China, and Spain. I bought a two-pound block of frozen baby octopus. At a nearby counter featuring freshly cooked Portuguese takeout, I sought advice from the chef, she advised me to boil the octopus gently for 40 minutes in garlic-flavored salted water and use it in a favorite recipe. So tender!

In Brockton, Vicente’s Supermarket caters to a large Cape Verdean populace and offers hard-to-find seafood such as snapper, grouper, red mullet, bass, and tilapia. Fresh octopus, de-shelled conch, clams, mussels, and giant prawns round out their “Seafood From The Pier” counter. I bought a 1.5-pound whole grouper. They also carry an array of salted cod in a nearby refrigerated section.

Preparing a Whole Fish

Most people buy fish already filleted, such as haddock or cod. So how to prepare a whole fish?

It’s easy. Have the fishmonger scale and clean a one to two-pound whole fish like bass or grouper. At home, lightly oil and season the fish and bake it at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until the fish flakes easily. (Note: a larger fish can take 45 to 60 minutes.) After baking, let the fish rest for a few minutes. Cut away the edges and run a knife just underneath the flesh, slicing across the fish between the head and tail to lift off the entire top filet. Remove the spinal bone, and voila, the bottom filet can be lifted cleanly.

Explore a world of tastes and textures from the sea. Bake a whole black sea bass with ginger, scallions, and sesame oil. Enjoy the sweet, delicate taste of snapper lightly sautéed or the robust taste of Spanish mackerel broiled with teriyaki sauce. Try chunks of grouper stewed Caribbean style. And be sure to explore Portugalia and Vicente’s impressive aisles of wine, perfect for pairing with fresh fish.

Fish markets from a variety of different nations will surprise and delight fish and seafood lovers with adventurous possibilities. Make them a destination and explore international heritages and influences just outside your door.

Already looking for a new recipe to make? Try this delicious Caribbean-Style Mackerel Baked in Spicy Coconut Sauce!

Amaral’s Fish Market
488 Belleville Avenue

New Bedford, MA 02746
(508) 996-1222
www.AmaralsMarket.net

Portugalia Marketplace
489 Bedford Street

Fall River, MA 02720
(508) 617-9820
www.PortugaliaMarketplace.com

Kam Man Foods
219 Quincy Avenue

Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 328-1533
www.kamman.com

Vicente’s Supermarket
160 Pleasant Street

Brockton, MA 02301
(508) 580-0296
www.vicentessupermarket.com

Suzette Martinez Standring hails from the foodie city of San Francisco and since 1996 has embraced New England, especially the South Shore. Finding international ingredients and adventure cooking are her thing.