Seafood includes dishes made from fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and marine plants. Different cultural cuisines incorporate seafood, and deep-frying, chowder, and marinating are popular preparations. Some seafood dishes are controversial due to ethical and conservation concerns.
There are many different types of fish dishes, because this type of food includes all dishes where a main ingredient comes from the sea. Fish and shellfish are the primary sources of seafood, but many people also consider marine mammals and marine plants to be seafood dishes. While some areas limit those items considered seafood to plants and animals found in the sea, it is also common for people to refer to river fish and shellfish as seafood. Many different cultural cuisines incorporate ingredients from the sea, and therefore there are many different seafood dishes available.
Fish is often a primary component of the culinary history of areas close to the sea. For example, Japan is surrounded by sea and therefore much of Japanese food includes seafood dishes. Sushi, sashimi, and many soups and noodle dishes focus on seafood. Other countries with a long history of fishing also often have many such foods. Italy, for example, has many seafood dishes that include shellfish and tomato sauces.
Deep-frying seafood is an extremely popular preparation, and nearly any sea creature can be deep-fried. Fish and shellfish that have been deep-fried are often served with sides of potatoes. The production of chowder based on fish is common, and many types of chowder involve fish. Marinating and cooking seafood is also popular, although many forms of shellfish are usually boiled.
There are many foods that involve canned fish, but they are often not immediately recognized as seafood in the public consciousness. Tuna sandwiches and other canned fish foods are all technically seafood. Pickled fish is popular in some areas, and fish as a topping for bread is also a popular preparation.
The variety among fish dishes has a lot to do with the other ingredients used in the dish. For example, ceviche is very different from teriyaki salmon, even though both dishes use fish. While individual fish have distinct flavors, most of the character of any of these dishes comes from how they are prepared. Fish and other types of seafood are highly versatile ingredients even though there are many traditional preparations of different fish.
Some seafood dishes are the subject of significant controversy and are therefore only served in certain areas. The meat of whales and dolphins, for example, is sometimes considered an inappropriate food source on ethical grounds, but there is much disagreement on this point. Shark dishes are less of a problem but are rarely served due to concerns about extinction. The harvesting of marine animals must be done with care in order to preserve a desirable ecosystem, although there are many potential strategies that can be used.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
