Ingredients
Dentex
Other Names: Dentex: Capatão legitímo, dentão (Portuguese); dendiq (Tunisia); denté commun (French); dentice (Italian); dentón commún, sama dorada (Spanish); dog’s tooth bream (Great Britain); sinarit (Turkish); synagrída (Greek); zahnbrassen (German). Pink dentex: Dentice corassiere (Italian); denté couronné, gros denté rose (French); koronáti tsaoússis (Greek). Sparidae.
General Description: Dentex (Dentex dentex_) are one of the more delicate fish in the sea bream family. A small, short,
plump fish, their color varies according to age. Young adults have steel-blue backs and silver sides with redtinted pectoral fins; very large fish may be wine colored. Crimson dentex (D. maroccanus_) are found in the western Mediterranean. Pink dentex (D. gibbosus) are common in the waters near Gibraltar and prized by anglers. They are rosy in color.
Locale and Season: These fish are found in the warmer waters of the Mediterranean, especially to the west.
Characteristics: Dentex have fine, delicate flesh with edible skin and succulent, tasty meat.
How to Choose: Young dentex are gray, changing to reddish pink then steel blue with a few spots as they mature. They are best when they weigh about 1 1/2 pounds. Dentex are usually sold whole.
Storage: Store whole dentex up to 1 day refrigerated.
Preparation:
Grill whole, stuff, or bake. Large fish should be cut into steaks before grilling or pan-frying.
Suggested Recipe: Italian Dentex with Orange (serves 2): Combine the grated zest of 2 oranges, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, and 2 tablespoons each chopped parsley, chopped cured
black olives, capers, and olive oil. Add the juice of 1 orange. Stuff the cavities of 2 (1-pound) cleaned whole dentex. Cut three slices into the flesh on the side of each fish and insert a half-moon slice of orange. Wrap the fish in foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until bubbling.
Flavor Affinities: Anchovy, bay leaves, butter, capers, dill, fennel, garlic, lemon, olive oil, olives, orange, tomato, zucchini.
from Quirk Books: www.quirkbooks.com
