LMB Ceviche

I was gonna make tacos with the winning bass, but fried tacos are getting old....

So, ceviche tacos!!

Here's what I made.

1 pound of largemouth fillets chunked into 1/4 inch chunks.

Covered with a cup of fresh squeezed lime juice with a 1/8 cup fresh squeezed orange juice.

Set in the fridge for 4 hours

1/2 cup seeded and chopped roma tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 finely minced jallepeno
1/2 finely minced serrano
1/8 cup chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon of salt

Drain fish, reserve juice.

Fold in vegetables, add just enough juice to keep it juicy.

Back in the fridge o/n.

Warm corn tortillas and spoon in ceviche.  Eat.

Tastey, but a tad high in the cilantro (I like it, but it may be a bit much for others) and a bit light on the peppers.

Needs some more work, but LMB is a good fish for ceviche.

MolBasser

Hmmm ... is citrus acid effective in killing the parasites that can be found in fresh water fish?  I didn't think it was.

-Allen

Yeah, I prefer to make my ceviche from saltwater species.   Most parasites have multiple hosts, those with a mammalian host (potentially human) are most often of freshwater origin.

Come to think of it, parasite induced pychosis might explain MolBasser's affinity to tie-dye.

Brian

Hmmm ... is citrus acid effective in killing the parasites that can be found in fresh water fish?  I didn't think it was.

-Allen

Parasitologists don't eat ceviche (or sushi).

Luckily, that isn't me.

MolBasser

LMB deep fried with beer batter is the best.
Jack

Come to think of it, parasite induced pychosis might explain MolBasser's affinity to tie-dye.

Brian

Ding Ding Ding we have a winner!

KIckinbass made some Mendo striper cerviche that was outstanding.  I have never seen a nematode/cestode/copepod in a mendo striper, bit a zillion in rockies, lings, and butts.  What FW parasites are an issue?

Tapeworms.  Ever wonder why almost no sushi is made of fresh water fish?

-Allen

tapeworms are a minor concern in this part of the world.

You probably have a greater chance of getting tapeworms by the fleas from your pets than fish.

There are a lot of factors needed for a tape worm life cycle that are completely absent from the resevoirs that we fish, and Loch Lomond in particular.

I've seen FAR more parasites in saltwater fish than in freshwater fish.

I think the lack of freshwater sushi is due to the lack of commercial production of freshwater fish.

How many freshwater species are commercial?  Trout and catfish as far as I know, both not the greatest for sushi.


MolBasser

That may very well be.  I have always thought that while there may be more parasites in saltwater fish, they are less likely to infect you. And while there may be less parasites in fresh water fish, they are more likely to infect you and the consequences are worse.  Even survival guides have said to avoid eating raw fresh water fish unless it's a last resort.

Fresh water famed raised fish ... trout, catfish. sturgeon, striped bass, tilapia, carp come to mind readily.

-Allen

I've no doubt that there are regions in the world (and the US) where eating raw freshwater fish is not the best idea, however as I have pointed out, Loch Lomond is safe as far as I can tell.

If not, well I could stand to lose a few pounds anyway, eat up worm!

MolBasser

Parasites have complex life cycles often requiring multiple hosts.   In general this life cycle is as follows.... parasite eggs are ingested by a first intermeidate host such as snails.  These parasites hatch and reproduce asexually in the first intermediate host and are eventually released as free swimming cercariae which infest a second intermediate host like fish and create cysts called metacercariae.   These fish are eaten raw by the definetive host (usually a bird or mammal) where the cycst hatch into adult parasitic worms.   The parsitic worms infect the definetive host producing more eggs that get passed through the feces back into the water where the first intermediate host gets infected again.  Depending on the species of parasite, the choice of hosts may be fairly specific.  Those parasites that infect humans have evolved to be able to infect mammals.   When thinking about which fish species might have more parasites that are potentially dangerous to humans you need to consider which species are likely to be part of a complex life cycle that often includes a large potential mammal host.

Some examples....
Salmon... often eaten by bears... probably has a lot of parasites that can infect humans, especially during its final run upriver to spawn.
Rockfish... eaten by seals... probably a concern.
Largemouth bass... eaten by otters, raccoons... potential human parasites.
Tuna, Yellowtail, other maine pelagics ... not too many mammals can catch these... probably not many parasites for humans to worry about.
 

Polepole-Cestodes are tapeworms, sorry for the nerd talk.  Lots of marine fish and invertebrates, including many that are regularly eaten raw such as salmon, oysters and clams are loaded with tapeworms.  Shashimi is sliced thin for a reason.  A major part of a real sushi chef's training is learning how to "candle" the product.

I think FW fish are generally not eaten as sushi because 1) they do not have the flavor or texture of their SW counterparts and 2) there is no significant FW commercial fishery for species that might otherwise make the cut.

 

Polepole-Cestodes are tapeworms, sorry for the nerd talk.  Lots of marine fish and invertebrates, including many that are regularly eaten raw such as salmon, oysters and clams are loaded with tapeworms.  Shashimi is sliced thin for a reason.  A major part of a real sushi chef's training is learning how to "candle" the product.

I think FW fish are generally not eaten as sushi because 1) they do not have the flavor or texture of their SW counterparts and 2) there is no significant FW commercial fishery for species that might otherwise make the cut.

 

Agreed.

MolBasser

I'll personally still avoid eating uncooked freshwater fish.  Every survival guide I've ever read says to avoid raw freshwater fish, and nearshore saltwater fish for that matter.  Don't get me wrong.  I love raw fish.  But I have a choice in which ones to eat raw, so why take a chance?

-Allen