Cobia – What Is It? How Much Does It Cost per Kilogram? Cooking Delicious Blue Crab Recipes
If you’re looking to diversify your daily meals and want to try something different from the usual beef, chicken, or duck, why not consider preparing cobia fish for your family to enjoy? This will be an opportunity to bring uniqueness and deliciousness to your meals! Let’s explore what cobia fish is, the price of cobia fish per kilogram, and some ways to prepare cobia fish.
I. What Is Cobia Fish?
Cobia fish, a species belonging to the Rachycentridae family, is named “cobia” due to the shape of their heads resembling a cow, and their square-shaped bodies resembling a chest. They are also known as “black kingfish” because of their tank-like bodies, which are quite distinctive.
These fish are typically found in ponds, bays, and are mostly found in the Vung Ro Bay of Phu Yen province in Vietnam. They are also present from the Ninh Thuan sea region to Binh Thuan. Cobia fish often live and hide in underwater reefs, making it challenging to catch them with nets.
Currently, the population of cobia fish in the wild is decreasing, and they have a slow growth rate with no basis for farming this species. Therefore, cobia fish are becoming increasingly rare and need careful protection and management to ensure their survival.
1. Identification of Cobia Fish
Cobia fish belong to the Rachycentridae family and have a square-shaped body covered with spotted skin. What makes them unique is their ability to move using their short, curly tails and small fins. They also have a distinctive dorsal fin on their back, which resembles an upside-down fan.
2. Nutritional Value of Cobia Fish
Here are some points about the nutritional value of cobia fish:
– High Protein Content: Cobia fish meat contains high levels of protein, providing essential protein for muscle development, bone health, and other bodily functions.
– Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Cobia fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These fatty acids are beneficial for heart health, reducing inflammation, and preventing heart disease.
– Vitamins and Minerals: Cobia fish also provide essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine, selenium, and zinc.
– Easy Nutrient Absorption: Cobia fish is known to be easily absorbed by the body, making it an efficient source of nutrients.
– A Healthy Nutritional Choice: Consuming cobia fish can help maintain a balanced diet and support overall health.
In summary, cobia fish not only taste delicious but also offer numerous health benefits, especially in protecting heart health and providing essential nutrients to the body.
II. How Much Does Cobia Fish Cost per Kilogram?
What is the price of cobia fish per kilogram? The price of natural cobia fish varies from 300,000 to 330,000 VND per kilogram.
III. How to Prepare Cobia Fish
When you purchase cobia fish and prepare it for cooking, start by carefully cleaning the fish, keeping the skin intact. Then, remove the fins and gut the fish entirely. Finally, rinse the fish with saltwater to ensure it’s clean and ready for cooking.
IV. Delicious Cobia Fish Recipes
1. Grilled Cobia Fish with Pineapple
– Ingredients: Cobia fish, pineapple, fish sauce, aluminum foil, spices (chili, garlic, lemongrass, salt, sugar, fish sauce)
– Instructions: Begin by thoroughly cleaning and gutting the cobia fish. Marinate it with a mixture of fish sauce, minced garlic, minced chili, lemongrass, salt, sugar, and some pineapple juice for about 30 minutes. Grill the fish in aluminum foil until it’s cooked and has a nice aroma. Serve it with pineapple slices and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and minced chili.
2. Cobia Fish in Coconut Curry
– Ingredients: Cobia fish, coconut milk, curry paste, vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, zucchini), fish sauce, sugar, cooking oil.
– Instructions: Slice the cobia fish into bite-sized pieces. In a pan, heat some cooking oil and sauté curry paste until fragrant. Add coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar, then simmer until the sauce thickens. Add the cobia fish and vegetables, and cook until the fish is done. Serve with steamed rice.
3. Cobia Fish Tacos
– Ingredients: Cobia fish, tortillas, coleslaw mix, lime wedges, cilantro, sour cream, salsa, cooking oil.
– Instructions: Cut the cobia fish into strips and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a pan and cook the fish until golden brown and cooked through. Warm the tortillas and assemble the tacos with coleslaw mix, cooked fish, lime wedges, cilantro, sour cream, and salsa.
V. How to Store Cobia Fish for Longer Freshness
First, clean the fish and make sure it’s dry. Avoid direct exposure to air.
Method 1: Place the fish in a resealable bag. Before sealing the bag, try to remove as much air as possible. If you have a vacuum sealer, this is the best way to eliminate air, as air contains bacteria and molds that can spoil food.
Method 2: Wrap the fish with aluminum foil and then wrap it again with freezer paper (the type of paper used for wrapping food for storage in the freezer).
Method 3: Place the fish in a food storage container and add enough purified water to submerge the fish. Freezing fish with water helps prevent enzyme breakdown in the fish and keeps it fresh without losing flavor.
Using one of these methods will help preserve the freshness of the cobia fish in your refrigerator or freezer.
VI. Conclusion
Through this article, we hope you have gained a better understanding of cobia fish, its price per kilogram, and how to prepare it to make delicious and exciting meals.
