What is sablefish?
Sablefish is a deep-water fish found from Mexico all the way to the Bering Sea. They are most commonly found in the waters of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Sablefish are also known as black cod or occasionally butterfish. Even more occasionally they are called the “Aristocrat of the Ocean.”
Sablefish are super commuters with some migrating more than 1,000 miles. They are deep-dwelling fish that can be found 650 to 9,800 feet deep.
How big do sablefish get?
Males can grow to about two feet long while females can grow over three feet long.
What do sablefish eat?
Sablefish are opportunistic predators eating everything from other fish to squid, crustaceans, and octopuses.
How long do sablefish live?
Sablefish can live up to 90 years. That’s twice as long as your average humpback whale.
What are the best cuts of sablefish meat?
The belly and tail fillets are the most common cuts of sablefish, but the lesser-known “collars” are a prized delicacy to Alaskans.
What are sablefish collars?
Sablefish collars are boneless bite-sized pieces of tender white meat found between the pectoral fin and the gill plate of the fish.
For many years, the heads of sablefish were often discarded by processing plants with the collars attached. Local Alaskans would go and remove the leftover collars from the discarded heads, often to enjoy on the grill. Collars became so popular at backyard barbeques that processors started to sell them in addition to the sablefish fillets!
What is the culinary profile of sablefish?
Sablefish is a white fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin B12.
Sablefish meat is buttery-sweet, luscious, and rich. Some of our favorite recipes include Cantonese-style sablefish, Nobu-style sablefish, and this roasted fennel and orange salad with sablefish.
