Skate is a type of fish that belongs to the Rajidae family. It is a cartilaginous fish, meaning it has a skeletal structure made of cartilage rather than bone. Skate is often caught and consumed for food, especially in European and Asian cuisines. But what does skate actually taste like? And is it a good fish to eat? Let’s dig into those questions.
What is skate?
Skates are flatfish that live on the ocean floor. There are around 250 species of skate worldwide. Some of the most common varieties used for food include:
– Thornback ray – A relatively small skate found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Also known as roker. Has a mild, sweet flavor.
– Winter skate – Primarily found off the coast of New England in North America. Leaner meat with a delicate, flaky texture.
– Blue skate – Larger skate species living in the western Atlantic. Considered a premium tasting skate.
– Longnose skate – Another western Atlantic variety. Sweeter tasting meat.
– Barndoor skate – Once heavily overfished, this large western Atlantic skate is making a comeback. It has a firm textured flesh.
Skates have flat, diamond-shaped bodies with eyes on the top of their heads and mouths, gills, and nostrils on their undersides. Two fleshy wing-like pectoral fins extend from both sides, allowing them to swim along the seafloor. A long, muscular tail propels them forward.
Most species of skate grow up to about 3-4 feet long and 30-50 pounds, although some can reach up to 7 feet long. Females are generally larger than males.
What does skate taste like?
Skate has a delicate, mildly sweet flavor. It is not fishy tasting at all. The meat is white, dense, and lean.
When very fresh, skate has a soft, almost creamy texture. As it ages, the flesh firms up into meaty fillets with a flaky texture similar to crab or lobster. It is often compared to scallops in texture.
When cooked properly, skate has a succulent, moist mouthfeel. The edible wing sections separate into little bite-sized chunks when poked with a fork.
The natural sweetness of skate lends itself well to a variety of preparations and flavor combinations:
– Lemon – The brightness of lemon complements the subtle sweetness of skate.
– Capers – Salty, piquant capers provide flavor contrast.
– Butter – Enriching melted butter makes skate taste velvety.
– Garlic – The mellow flavor of garlic brings out more depth.
– Thyme – Earthy thyme accentuates the delicate flavor.
– Brown butter – Nutty browned butter adds another layer of richness.
– Tomatoes – Sweet tomatoes pair nicely with skate.
– Olives – Briny olives give it more complexity.
Overall, skate has a very mild, slightly sweet flavor with a pleasing texture similar to crab or lobster. When fresh, it has a soft, creamy mouthfeel that firms up into moist, flaky meat when cooked.
Is skate a healthy fish to eat?
Yes, skate is considered a very healthy fish choice. Here are some of its nutritional benefits:
– High in protein – A 3.5 ounce serving of skate contains around 20 grams of protein. The protein in skate is complete, meaning it provides all essential amino acids.
– Low fat – Skate is a lean fish, with only about 1 gram of fat per serving. The majority of its fat is healthy unsaturated fat.
– Low calorie – With under 100 calories in a serving, skate is a light, nutritious option.
– Rich in vitamins – Skate provides B-vitamins like niacin, vitamin B12, and folate. It also contains vitamin A and vitamin D.
– Good source of minerals – Skate provides potassium, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iodine.
– Contains omega-3s – While not as high in omega-3 fatty acids as some fattier fish, skate still provides a decent amount of anti-inflammatory omega-3s.
– Easy to digest – Since skate is low in fat and not fishy tasting, it tends to be gentle on the stomach and easier to digest than other fish.
The main downside of skate from a health perspective is that as a predator fish, it can accumulate moderate amounts of mercury. Pregnant women and young children should limit intake to 2-3 servings per month.
But for most people, the benefits of skate’s lean protein, vitamins, and minerals outweigh potential mercury concerns. Eating skate 1-2 times per week as part of a balanced diet is considered safe.
Where to buy skate
Fresh skate can be found at many fish markets and well-stocked grocery stores, especially those carrying specialty seafood. However, it may not always be consistently available due to fluctuating catch rates.
Some tips for finding fresh skate:
– Check fish counters at gourmet grocery stores like Whole Foods. They often stock a rotating selection of fresh skate.
– Asian supermarkets may carry frozen skate imported from Korea or China. This is a good backup when fresh is unavailable.
– Request skate from the fishmonger at local seafood shops. They may be able to order it special.
– Farmers markets sometimes have vendors selling fresh, locally caught fish including skate.
– Ask restaurants if they have skate or could specially order it. Then request to buy some.
When buying whole skate, choose fish with clear eyes and bright red or white unblemished meat. Avoid any with brownish discoloration. Smell for a fresh, mild scent.
For fillets, pick ones without gaps between meat flakes. They should cling together firmly. Pass on fillets with dry, mushy, or brown areas.
How to prepare skate
Skate needs to be handled with care to avoid drying out or becoming tough. Here are some tips:
– When buying whole, have the fishmonger remove the wings. They can also skin it for you.
– Use skate fillets within a day or two. Store wrapped in the coldest part of refrigerator.
– Lay fillets out flat and score the meat diagonally across both sides. This helps tenderize.
– Always thaw frozen skate in the refrigerator, not left out on counter.
– Pat fillets very dry before cooking to prevent steaming instead of browning.
– Cook skate gently using moist heat methods like steaming, poaching, or baking.
– Don’t overcook or it will toughen quickly. Skate is best medium rare.
– Turn fillets gently during cooking and baste to keep moist. Add liquid to pan if drying out.
– Check for doneness often. Skate goes from perfect to overcooked quickly.
– Rest cooked skate 3-5 minutes before serving to allow juices to reabsorb.
– Take pinbones out of cooked fillets before plating.
Skate recipes
Here are some delicious ways to cook skate at home:
Baked Skate with Brown Butter and Capers
Ingredients:
– 2 skate fillets
– 2 Tbsp butter
– 1 Tbsp olive oil
– 2 Tbsp capers
– 1 lemon, juiced
– 2 Tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Pat skate fillets very dry.
2. Heat butter and oil in oven safe skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully lay fillets in pan.
3. Cook 2-3 minutes until brown. Flip fillets gently and cook 2 minutes more.
4. Transfer skillet to oven and bake 7-10 minutes until skate is barely cooked through.
5. In skillet, brown butter 1-2 minutes. Stir in capers and lemon juice.
6. Serve skate drizzled with brown butter sauce and garnish with parsley.
Pan Fried Skate with Garlic Lemon Butter
Ingredients:
– 2 skate fillets
– 1/4 cup flour
– 3 Tbsp butter, divided
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 Tbsp lemon juice
– 2 Tbsp parsley, chopped
– Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions:
1. Season skate all over with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
2. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add skate and cook 3 minutes per side until golden.
3. Transfer skate to plates. Reduce heat to medium.
4. Add remaining butter and garlic to pan. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in lemon juice and parsley. Spoon sauce over plated skate.
6. Garnish with lemon wedges to serve.
Skate Meunière
A French preparation with lemon and parsley.
Ingredients:
– 2 skate fillets
– 1/2 cup flour
– 3 Tbsp butter, divided
– 1 lemon, juiced and zested
– 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
– Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions:
1. Season skate with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour.
2. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add skate and cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
3. Transfer skate to plates. Add remaining butter to pan and cook until browned.
4. Remove pan from heat. Stir in lemon juice and zest.
5. Pour butter sauce over plated skate. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.
What does skate pair well with?
Beyond basic lemon and butter, the mild sweetness and delicate texture of skate pairs nicely with many ingredients and flavors. Consider serving it with:
– Fresh herbs – Basil, dill, chives, tarragon, parsley
– Citrus – Lemon, lime, orange. Use juice and zest.
– Vinegars – White wine, rice wine, champagne, sherry, balsamic
– Garlic – Fresh garlic, roasted garlic, garlic paste
– Onions – Caramelized onions, shallots, green onions
– Mushrooms – Sautéed mushrooms, cremini, shiitake
– Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato sauce
– Olives – Kalamata, niçoise, castelvetrano
– Capers – Fried capers provide a nice crunch.
– Butter – Melted butter, beurre blanc sauce, browned butter
– Cream – Heavy cream, crème fraîche
– Cheese – Gruyère, Parmesan, feta, goat
– Wine – White wine, vermouth, dry sherry
– Brandy – For flavoring pan sauces
– Vegetables – Asparagus, spinach, fennel
– Potatoes – Skate goes great with potato dishes
– Pasta – Works nicely in seafood pasta
– Risotto – Paired with seafood risotto
– Couscous – Try a skate and Israeli couscous salad
So in summary, skate pairs well with bright, acidic ingredients like lemon and vinegar, savory flavor enhancers like garlic, onions, olives, and capers, and crisp vegetables or greens. Going with creamy bases, cheese, wine, or potatoes is also a winning combination.
Global skate recipes
Skate is eaten around the world, especially in Europe. Here are some popular international recipes:
France – Raie au Beurre Noir (Skate in Brown Butter)
This French bistro standard pairs skate wings with nutty browned butter sauce and capers.
England – Skate with Black Butter
An English take on brown butter sauce made with vinegar and anchovies.
Spain – Raya a la Plancha (Grilled Skate)
Simple, delicious grilled skate dressed with olive oil, garlic, and parsley.
Portugal – Raia Grelhada (Portuguese Grilled Skate)
Skate marinated in white wine and garlic before grilling.
Italy – Razza in Padella (Pan Fried Skate)
Flour dusted pan fried skate served with lemon, capers, and arugula.
Morocco – Rasse Mchermel
Skate simmered in spicy, herb-flecked tomato sauce.
Korea – Godeungeo Hoe (Raw Skate)
Thinly sliced raw skate dressed with chili, garlic, sesame oil, and lime juice.
Japan – Hirame no Nitsuke (Simmered Skate)
Skate braised in soy sauce, sake, and mirin with shiitake mushrooms.
China – Jinxing Yu (Steamed Skate)
Simple steamed skate dressed with seasoned soy sauce, cilantro, and crispy garlic.
Substitutions for skate
Good alternatives if you can’t find skate include:
– Stingray – The most texturally similar. Often called “skate wings”.
– Rockfish – Firm fleshed white fish like striped bass or snapper.
– Tilapia – Affordable mild white fish.
– Sole – More delicate but still flaky.
– Catfish – Put up well to richer sauces. Farm-raised is sustainable.
– Scallops – Mimics the texture. Work great in many skate recipes.
– Shrimp – Mix with scallops to approximate skate.
– Crab – Flakes beautifully and tastes delicious with lemon-butter.
– Lobster – The luxurious choice for special meals.
The important factors when substituting are choosing a fish or seafood with a neutral flavor profile and flaky, moist texture when cooked. Lean white fish, shellfish, and sustainable farmed fish like catfish are all good options. Adjust cook times as thinner fillets may require less time.
Conclusion
In summary, skate is valued for its sweet, mild flavor and tender texture reminiscent of crab and lobster. When very fresh, it has a soft, creamy mouthfeel that firms up into moist, flaky meat when cooked.
Skate works well with both simple preparations to showcase its natural flavor, like lemon and brown butter, as well as more complex recipes incorporating ingredients like capers, garlic, tomatoes, and wine. It makes a healthy, sustainable fish choice that pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides.
While not always easy to find consistently, skate is a delicious fish worth seeking out. When unavailable, substitutes like stingray, sole, and scallops can allow you to replicate the texture and flavor profile of recipes calling for skate.
So next time you spot skate at the market, take it home and enjoy this underrated fish. Just remember to handle it gently and avoid overcooking to bring out its very best qualities on the plate. A buttery skate with a squeeze of lemon may just become your new favorite seafood meal.
