Fresh Red Mullet / Rouget Barbet from France

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

The Red Mullet, or Rouget Barbet, has a gorgeous red color, almost orange. It’s a highly prized fish in the Mediterranean, and is relatively small in size, usually around six to eight inches. Its meat is white to light pink, with a firm texture when cooked. Its delicious and aromatic, rich in fat, and tastes similar to shellfish, almost like sweet shrimp or oyster.

PREPARATION AND PAIRINGS

Red mullet can be cooked in a variety of ways. It’s perfect pan-seared in olive oil, with some minced garlic, and chopped herbs and chili. It can also be grilled or steamed.

A LITTLE ROMAN ICON

The people of Ancient Rome considered Red Mullet to be highly prized. It was very expensive, in fact, they were worth their weight in silver. The Romans not only feasted on red mullet, they also kept them as pets. This fish had been found in their mosaics by archeological experts.

Storage Instructions

Fresh fish will arrive to you in designated Styrofoam boxes with shaved ice. Kindly store in your fridge as soon as received.

For the best flavor and quality, fish should be prepared for eating the same day it is brought home, but it can be stored for two to three days in a refrigerator at a cool 4°C. You can store fish fillets in airtight bags in the freezer for up to a month. Cooked leftovers should be cooled and refrigerated as soon as possible and consumed within three days.