Congrio fish (shrimp fish): description, what is useful, how to cook it

Congrio fish has not yet become a familiar dish in our menu. Housewives often bypass it, although gourmets have long appreciated its unusual exquisite taste. Unusual appearance and ignorance of recipes for cooking deprive the opportunity to try something new and useful.

Congrio: what kind of fish, what it looks like and where it lives

This underwater inhabitant has many names. In New Zealand, it is called a sea eel, fishermen - king clip, in Russia - shrimp fish. This nickname congrio received because of the pink meat and taste, reminiscent of shrimp.

What it looks like

The mottled pink long round body is frightening for its resemblance to the moray, with which they are closely related. The most common specimens on sale are about one meter long and weighing about 4 kg. Although fishermen say that in their nets get specimens much larger - about two meters long and weighing more than 20 kg. The back part of the congrio somewhat resembles the tail of an eel, hence the name "sea eel". Smooth body with fine scales covered with a thick layer of mucus, which is very difficult to wash off. Because of this, this predator can easily hunt among the rocks at the bottom of the ocean without fear of injury. In stores it is sold either frozen without the head, or in the form of fillets.

Where does it live?

Congrio prefers to live in the warm ocean waters off the coast of New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Brazil and South Africa. Most often you can find New Zealand fish on sale. But when buying you need to be especially careful, because in some cases under the guise of exotic predator offered cheaper varieties of fish.

What it eats

This fish, which sometimes lives to be 30 years old, is a voracious predator. Its menu includes smaller fish species, shrimp, crustaceans, mollusks. In pursuit of prey can sink to a depth of more than one thousand meters.

Species

To date, only a few species of these fish are known. Among them, the black congrio is the most famous. It grows to a length of 90 cm and lives in Australia, New Zealand and South America of the oceans.

Off the coast of Chile and Peru, the spotted and red congrio are fished. The Dannevigia and smallmouth congrio are found off South Australia, and the African congrio is found in South African waters.

All species of this fish are valuable targets of the fishery.

Composition and calories

Low caloric content makes sea eel attractive for dietary meals. Biochemical composition of the meat of this fish determines its useful properties. In 100 g. edible part contains 94 kcal. In addition, the fillet contains.

Vitamins:

1. A (retinol) - 10 mcg. It is necessary for vision, bone health, skin, hair. It determines the normal functioning of the immune system. It takes part in the synthesis of proteins, normalizes metabolism, and slows the aging process.
2. B1 (thiamine) - 0.11 mg. It plays an indispensable role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Helps normal brain function, improves memory and promotes concentration. With its deficiency may be fatigue, irritability, insomnia, headaches, muscle weakness, shortness of breath.
3. B2 (riboflavin) - 0.11 mg. Needed for the formation of antibodies and red blood cells. Helps to normalize reproductive functions in the human body. Participates in hematopoiesis, facilitates oxygen uptake by cells. If it is not enough, weakness, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, and vision problems may occur.
4. B3 (PP, nicotinic acid) - 4.6 mg. Increases blood fibrinolytic activity, lowers bad cholesterol levels, stimulates gastric juice production, is necessary for hormone synthesis, and helps protein digestion. Dizziness, sudden weight loss, insomnia, pale skin can signal a lack of nicotinic acid in the body.
5. B4 (choline) - 65 mg. Plays a major role in the synthesis and metabolism of phospholipids in the liver. Indispensable for the normal functioning of the nervous system, prevents its disorders. Vitamin B4 reduces the concentration of fatty acids in the blood and helps clean the walls of blood vessels from cholesterol plaques. Strengthens the heart muscle, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. In type I diabetes helps reduce the need for insulin.
6. B5 (pantothenic acid) - 0.237 mg. This vitamin stimulates the production of adrenal hormones - glucocorticoids, which prevents the development of arthritis, colitis, various heart diseases. It helps form antibodies, strengthens the immune system, assists in the absorption of other vitamins, and ensures normal brain function. It is not without reason called the wonder vitamin for its ability to prolong life and slow aging.
7. B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.1 mg. Does not allow the development of nervous disorders, prevents the emergence of various skin diseases. Reduces night muscle cramps and numbness. Beneficial effect on the genitourinary system. Especially necessary to ensure that the body has enough pyridoxine in the leukopenia, anemia, and diseases of the nervous system. It has a beneficial effect in toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy.
8. B9 (folic acid) - 4.9 mcg. It is especially important to get this vitamin in the right quantity during the growth and development of the body, because it is necessary for the creation of new cells. In times of stress, it helps regulate the processes of excitation and inhibition of the nervous system.
9. B12 (cobalamin) - 1.63 mcg. Cobalamin is essential for the development of red blood cells and the formation of DNA. Its effect on the rapidly renewing tissues - blood, skin, mucous membranes, it is difficult to overestimate. Prevents anemia, reduces irritability, improves memory. More successfully absorbed in the presence of pyridoxine.
10. C (ascorbic acid) - 0.5 mg. It is a powerful antioxidant that serves to strengthen the body's immune system, protects it from viruses, eliminates toxins, regulates hematopoiesis. The daily dose of this vitamin depends not only on age and sex, but also on the presence of bad habits. For example, one cigarette can destroy 25 mg of ascorbic acid in the body. Therefore, the need for vitamin C in these people is noticeably higher.
11. D (calciferol) - 0.2 mcg. This vitamin is needed for normal calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body, for the proper development of the bone skeleton in childhood. It takes part in cell growth and development. It prevents the development of leukemia, cancers of some organs, and coordinates the production of insulin. Calciferol deficiency is manifested by destruction of teeth, stunted growth, development of rickets.
12. E (alpha tocopherol) - 0.3 mg. This fat-soluble vitamin is an important antioxidant of biological activity. It prevents premature aging of cells, strengthens the immune system, improves tissue regeneration, reduces fatigue, reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease, prostate and bladder cancer.

Macronutrients:

1. Potassium (K) - 420 mg. Together with sodium helps to regulate the water balance of the body, is involved in conducting nerve impulses, is necessary for the contraction of skeletal muscles.
2. Calcium (Ca) - 40 mg. Almost all of the macronutrient in the human body is in the bones and teeth. Therefore, its deficiency is primarily manifested in joint pain, delamination of nail plates, stunted growth in children.
3. Magnesium (Mg) - 55 mg. Magnesium together with sodium and phosphorus regulate muscle activity and processes in the nervous system. Lack of this element can lead to insomnia, pressure spikes, headaches, cramps, muscle spasms.
4. Sodium (Na) - 40 mg. Necessary for water-salt metabolism, normal acid-base balance, is involved in the production of gastric juice.
5. Sulfur (S) - 170 mg. Needed to protect the protoplasm from bacteria, is involved in the synthesis of collagen, has an anti-allergic effect.
6. Phosphorus (P) - 240 mg. The element is actively involved in the growth of dental and bone tissues of the body, improves metabolism, promotes cell division.
7. Chlorine (Cl) - 165 mg. Removes salts and fluid from the body, stimulates normal digestion, and clears fat from the liver.

Micronutrients:

1. Iron (Fe) - 0.8 mg. It plays a critical role in the formation of hemoglobin, prevents anemia, and is involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
2. Iodine (I) - 150 micrograms. Most of this trace element is concentrated in the thyroid gland and plasma. With its deficiency increases fatigue, increases weight, becomes worse memory, vision, hearing.
3. Cobalt (Co) - 15 micrograms. Actively involved in the synthesis of DNA and amino acids, affects human metabolism, and stimulates the growth of red blood cells.
4. Manganese (Mn) - 0.11 mg. Stimulates the production of ascorbic acid, normalizes nervous system processes, promotes the growth of connective tissue and cartilage, affects lipid metabolism, reduces bad cholesterol.
5. Copper (Cu) - 130 micrograms. Copper deficiency in the body manifested anemia, impaired skin pigmentation, nervousness, skin rashes.
6. Molybdenum (Mo) - 4 micrograms. Microelement necessary for the synthesis of acids, improving the composition of the blood, increasing the level of hemoglobin in it. It is used for the prevention of male genital disorders.
7. Nickel (Ni) - 7 micrograms. The formation of carriers of genetic information is impossible without the participation of nickel. In addition, it prolongs and enhances the action of insulin, lowers blood pressure.

Essential amino acids:

• Arginine - 1 g.
• Valine - 0.9 gr.
• Histidine - 0,4 gr.
• Isoleucine - 1,1 gr.
• Leucine - 1,3 gr.
• Lysine - 1,8 gr.
• Methionine - 0,6 gr.
• Methionine + Cysteine - 0,75 gr.
• Threonine - 0,9 gr.
• Tryptophan - 0,2 gr.
• Phenylalanine - 0,7 gr.
• Phenylalanine + Tyrosine - 1,3 gr.

Substitutable amino acids:

• Alanine - 0.9 g.
• Asparagic acid - 1,2 gr.
• Glycine - 0,8 gr.
• Glutamic acid - 1,3 gr.
• Proline - 0,6 gr.
• Serine - 0,7 gr.
• Tyrosine - 0,6 gr.
• Cysteine - 0.15 gr.

Saturated fatty acids:

• Myristic - 0.01 g.
• Palmitic - 0,1 gr.
• Stearic - 0,03 gr.

Monounsaturated fatty acids:

• Palmitoleic - 0.04 g.
• Oleic (omega-9) - 0.08 g.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids:

• Linoleic - 0.01 g.
• Linolenic - 0,01 gr.
• Arachidonic - 0,03 gr.
• Omega-3 fatty acids - 0,2 g.
• Omega-6 fatty acids - 0,22 gr.

How is shrimp fish meat useful?

Overestimate the usefulness of congrio in the human diet is difficult enough. This lean, easily digestible fish is particularly popular in the national cuisines of those countries where it is mined. Also its tender fillet has long been appreciated in Asia, where it is used for the preparation of many dishes.

General benefits

Inclusion of sea eel in the weekly menu in moderate amounts can bring a lot of benefits:

1. The meat of this fish normalizes metabolism in the body.
2. Helps to restore the water balance.
3. Stimulates gastric secretion, thus contributing to a better digestibility of food.
4. Strengthens the human immune system, preventing the development of autoimmune diseases.
5. It improves blood clotting, accelerates wound healing.
6. Fatty acids prevent the development of stroke and coronary heart disease.

For women.

At a normalized daily dose congrio helps to equalize the hormonal background and stimulate reproductive function in women. Normalize the psycho-emotional state during stress, menopause. It strengthens nail plates, stimulates hair growth and improves skin condition. It is enough to eat 400-500 grams of shrimp fish a week to prevent early aging.

For men

For men, sea eel will be useful for high physical activity. The amino acids contained in its meat are the basis for building muscle tissue. In addition, shrimp fish helps to strengthen memory and concentration. Cobalamin is necessary so that the liver can function properly.

In Pregnancy

You should not start eating shrimp fish during pregnancy because of the high risk of allergic reactions. But even if before that, congrio was a part of the menu on a regular basis, it is better to limit its consumption to small doses during pregnancy. This will be enough to get the necessary vitamins, micro- and macronutrients for the fetus's development.

When breastfeeding

Doctors do not recommend consuming congrio during breastfeeding of the baby, if this fish is not habitual in the menu of the mother. The reliable impact of this exotic product for northern latitudes on the body of infants has not been studied enough yet, so it is better not to take risks.

For children

In the diet of children shrimp fish introduced after three years. By this time the gastrointestinal tract is fully formed. And if you are not allergic to any products, you can try to give congrio, for the first time limited to a small piece weighing about 20 grams. Babies like sea eel dishes very much, because they do not have a specific fishy smell and are well chewed.

After the introduction of a new product, the child should be observed. If the body gave any atypical reaction, it is better to include in the menu more familiar varieties of fish.

The benefits of congrio when losing weight

Low calorie and low fat content allows you to recommend congrio in the menu for weight loss. It can be cooked as steamed, stewed and baked. It is easily digested by the body and gives a feeling of fullness. Due to its composition, shrimp fish helps to look good, strengthens the immune system.

Congrio in diseases

Studies of the effects of shrimp fish have shown that it should be consumed:

1. For cardiovascular diseases. This product helps normalize blood pressure and strengthens the walls of blood vessels.
2. If there were relatives with Alzheimer's disease in the family, the fatty acids and minerals contained in the meat will help to prevent the development of this disease.
3. In case of musculoskeletal diseases, shrimp fish becomes indispensable. Including it in the weekly menu prevents the destruction of bone structure.
4. Sea eel helps to normalize blood glucose levels, which prevents spikes in insulin. Therefore, it is often recommended to people with diabetes to prevent the development of the disease.

Harm and contraindications

Despite the undoubted benefits of congrio, some contraindications to its consumption still exist. Do not eat shrimp fish people with an individual intolerance of marine products. It is not recommended for those who suffer from hypothyroidism and acute liver failure. Moreover, excessive craving for the product can lead to protein intolerance. Therefore, dishes that include shrimp fish should not be eaten more than once a week.

How to choose and store fish

Most often on store shelves you can find frozen carcasses without the head. Fillets and steaks in most cases are shipped directly to restaurants.

Since sometimes under the guise of Congrio people try to sell cheaper fish, you need to know what to pay attention to when buying:

1. The carcass must be at least half a meter long. Smaller fish are not exported.
2. The color of the meat on a cut should be a natural shade.
3. A large amount of ice on the skin indicates incorrect storage. Most likely, the fish has already defrosted and then frozen again, which is unacceptable.

If the defrosted meat does not have a firm consistency, falls apart, and damage is visible, then you can not eat such a product. There is a high risk of food poisoning.

Sea eel should be stored in the freezer and slowly defrosted before cooking. To do this, put the carcass in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. This helps to preserve all the useful properties of the product.

How to cook congrio: recipes

One of the valuable qualities of shrimp fish is that when it is cooked, it retains all its useful properties. With it, you can prepare dishes for both everyday menus and for the festive table.

In the oven

Sea eel with vegetables, baked in the oven, can become a decoration of any table.

You will need: 1 medium-sized fish carcass, 200 grams of broccoli, 2 leeks, 1 sweet bell bell pepper, 150 grams of cauliflower, 50 ml of any white wine, 50 ml of water, provan herbs, salt and pepper.

Recipe: You need to defrost the fish in the refrigerator. Only then it will be juicy and delicious. Clean the carcass, carefully wash off the mucus, cut on both sides and rub with a mixture of salt, pepper and spices.

Cabbage of all kinds should be divided into florets. Peel the vegetables and cut into small wedges. Then put them all in an even layer on a greased baking tray and season with salt.

Mix white wine with water and pour about 2/3 of the sauce over the vegetables. Then place the shrimp fish on a bed of vegetables and pour the rest of the sauce over it. Cover the tray with foil and stew in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 20 minutes.

In a pan

To fry congrio in a pan does not require a large number of ingredients and special culinary skills.

You will need: 1 kg of shrimp fish, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, flour, salt, spices for fish, vegetable oil.

Recipe: peel the frozen carcass, rinse under running water and cut into portions. After that, pour the juice of lemon and rub it with salt mixed with spices. Leave them like this for about 15-20 minutes. Pour the flour into a wide bowl and roll each portion in it. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan and place shrimp fish. Fry on medium heat on both sides until golden crispy. Serve with rice or stewed vegetables.

On the grill

On a picnic or in the countryside, you can surprise your friends with an unusual fish, cooked on the grill.

You will need: 1.5 kg of shrimp steaks, 2 lemons, pepper, salt, olive oil.

Recipe: rub pieces of congrio with pepper, salt, lemon juice and a splash of olive oil. Warm up the coals in a charcoal grill and place the fish on the grill. Grill on both sides until crusty.

On the grill

Grill sea eel together with vegetables or potatoes. The dish will be especially delicious if you use small, young potatoes.

You will need: 1.5 kg of Congrio, 0.5 kg of potatoes, 1 onion, 1 teaspoon oregano, 4 garlic cloves, 1 lemon, 0.5 cup white wine, herbs and salt.

Recipe: gut the fish, separate the head and the tail. Wash it under running water, dry and cut it into medium-sized pieces. Peel the onion and garlic and finely chop them. Mix them in a bowl with salt and oregano and grind or rub with your hands. Then pour the mixture with lemon juice and wine. And, in the resulting marinade put pieces of fish and leave for about an hour and a half in the refrigerator.

Wash the potatoes with a stiff brush. If they are young, they do not need to be peeled. Pieces of fish are placed on the heated grill, placing the potatoes around them. Fry the dish for about 30 minutes, periodically pouring it with the remaining marinade.

In the multicooker

You will need: 400 grams of Congrio fillets, 2 tomatoes, 0.5 heads of onions, 1 small carrot, 50 grams of any hard cheese, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, 50 ml of water, salt, pepper.

Recipe: for this dish, shrimp fish fillet is best, but you can also use steak. Pieces of sea eel salt and pepper and put in a bowl of a multicooker, pre-lubricate it with vegetable oil. Cut the tomatoes into small wedges, cut the onions into half rings. Place everything on top of the fish. Grate carrots on a coarse grater, add it to a bowl, put the tomato paste and sprinkle with grated cheese. Pour water and put the multicooker on "stew" mode. In about 40 minutes the dish will be completely ready. You can serve it with boiled rice.

Q&A

Is the congrio bony or not?

Despite its size, shrimp fish does not contain small bones that interfere with its cutting. You don't need any special skills to separate the fillets from the dorsal spine.

Congrio: fatty fish or not?

Sea eel belongs to the low-calorie, low-fat varieties of fish. In 100 grams of the edible part there is only 1.9 g of fat. But proteins - 19.1 grams. Therefore, this product is often advised to use in diets.

What foods does it go with?

Although congrio is called a "universal" fish because it can be served with many garnishes and sauces, there are still restrictions.

This fish pairs well with pumpkin, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and other green vegetables. Butter or whey, used during cooking of sea eel will make its taste richer. But it is better not to use any products that contain a lot of fat.

What does fish taste like?

Congrio tastes rather unusual for fish. Tender juicy fillet when cooked becomes similar to shrimp. Hence its second name - shrimp fish.

Interesting fact
Congrio is probably the only fish to which an ode is dedicated. It was written by the famous Chilean poet and political figure Pablo Neruda. The title "Oda al Caldillo de Congrio" can be translated as a song of praise to the congrio fish chowder. The poem refers to the sea eel as a gift from the gods to man.

Photo of shrimp fish