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CTyankee

(65,820 posts)
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 03:16 PM Dec 27

Is catfish tasty and good for you?

We like fish and eat salmon every week. I have never eaten catfish, but it's on sale at my supermarket. How do you make it?

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hlthe2b

(108,333 posts)
1. It is almost a "delicacy" in the South and parts of the Midwest where it is prevalent and they grow large.
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 03:19 PM
Dec 27

Battered in egg and cornmeal and fried or at least pan-seared is how I typically have had it. In the wild, it can pick up contaminants from its tendency to scavage and eat just about anything so, all things in moderation, but yes, it is generally considered to be healthy...

Response to hlthe2b (Reply #1)

lynintenn

(795 posts)
3. grilled with cajun seaonings
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 03:24 PM
Dec 27

they tend to be bottom feeders but they are largely farmed these days.

Traildogbob

(10,762 posts)
4. Depends on the species
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 03:26 PM
Dec 27

Channel cats are really good and Flat heads not so much. Flsr heads are mushy and dwell in the mud, and taste like they do. But these are the two most frequently caught here in WNC. Lots of others around the country. As far as healthy, all depends on the water quality. Ones that feed through the mud can take in lots of toxic crap that settled down in the substrate.
Farm raised avoid those toxins but the feed they get takes at good flavor of wild. Lots of farms use dog food. Not the best brands either.
I like cat fish, but my favorite fresh water is walleye by far.

CabbageAndBeans

(39 posts)
5. It holds together well on the grill.
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 03:27 PM
Dec 27

I will either grill it with some mesquite chips or broil it. I have been told to avoid any imported catfish and to make sure it is farmed domestically. Not exactly sure where I heard this or why, so take it with a grain of salt.

EYESORE 9001

(27,870 posts)
7. It's not kosher, if that is an issue (no scales)
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 03:45 PM
Dec 27

Personally, I don’t care for catfish, considering their diet. Same with anything in the carp family. I suppose farm-raised fish don’t eat the nasty things that those bottom-feeders encounter in the wild, however.

elleng

(138,724 posts)
10. Yes, very good.
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 04:21 PM
Dec 27

Rather mild, and amenable to improvements/adjustments.

Used to saute it regularly. Would also be good baked w herbs, and stews.

Check @ 'cooking and baking.'

cloudbase

(5,914 posts)
14. Coated with Zatarain's Crispy Fish-Fri and deep fried.
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 04:32 PM
Dec 27

Mix in a bit of Tony Cachere's or Old Bay into the coating for an extra treat.

Aristus

(69,314 posts)
15. I'm Southern-born. I could eat biscuits and gravy and chicken fried steak until the end of time.
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 08:13 PM
Dec 27

But I refuse to eat catfish. I won’t touch it. That and grits. The shit some people eat.

catbyte

(36,515 posts)
18. Am I the only person on the planet who thinks catfish tastes like mud?
Fri Dec 27, 2024, 08:48 PM
Dec 27

I had it once in a place famous for their catfish and yuck.

Response to CTyankee (Original post)

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