According to the Washington Post, we know that skate wing is one confusing fish.
It is pampered and expensive at the top restaurants in different countries.
Unfortunately, many recreational fishermen tend to curse and toss it back into the water due to its spiny spur. Skate wing is mostly popular in France.
Skate wings are never really cooked at home, as it is uncommon in the majority of the global households.
The curious question is, “What does skate wing taste like?” Skate wing doesn’t just taste delicious, but it carries a plethora of health benefits.
They include Vitamin B12, Phosphorus, Vitamin B6, Riboflavin (B2), and Niacin (B3).
What is Skate Wing?
According to Wikipedia, the Skate wing is a cartilaginous fish that belongs to the Rajidae family within the superorder Batoidea of rays.
There are more than 570 species out there. The term “Skate” refers to the complete order of Rajiformes.
The members of the Rajidae family are distinguishable by their hard snout and a non-reduced rostrum.
The skates’ diet consists of animals dwelling at the bottom in the likes of clams, shrimps, oysters, clams, and many other invertebrates.
You should know that skates and stingrays aren’t the same even though they look alike.
They possess five-gill slits pairs to present ventrally, just like the stingrays. Skates also carry pectoral fins and have eyes on top of their head.
Skates do not have stinging spines and whip-like tail. Some of the skates even possess electric organs within their tail.
You have to remember that skates tend to lay eggs, but rays give birth directly to a newborn.
What Does Skate Wing Taste Like? Does Skate Wing Taste Good?
According to The New York Times, skate wings carry a mild flavor with delicate textures.
It isn’t overpowering and doesn’t taste fishy at all. Some compare its taste to that of shark meat, crab meat, and scallops.
Emeril Lagasse, an American celebrity chef, and a television personality introduced skate wings to the global television audience. He was saying that it carried a sweet taste.
Fishmongers from old New England started seeing as literal “Sea Scallops” back in the day. But that comment has died down today.
Every skate wing possesses a reasonably thin layer of meat on both sides. The skin of the skate wing is a crispy delight when it is pan-fried without burning it.
Pan-frying the skate makes it sharply tender and beautiful. It has ridges that can hold a sauce by creating a fan-effect.
Skate wings are softer and not overly meaty. Depending on the season you catch it, some skate wings even carry an ammonia-type of flavor.
Skate wings are chewy at the start, and then it starts to get more tender with each bite.
However, some people believe that the fish doesn’t just taste mild, but its flesh is quite firm with increased collagen content.
All these different combinations give it a unique and expensive texture. You can expect its flesh to go from pinkish to off-white when cooked.
Skate wing is widely available in French bistro menus. The French skate wing cuisines stick with poached, pan-fried, and more.
Restaurants such as Le Bernardin has been specializing in skate wing dishes since 1986.
Nutritional Chart
This nutrition chart is based on a serving size of 100g, which is 3.5 ounces. They are as follows:
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Calories | 95 Kcal |
| Fat Calories | 9 |
| Total Fat | 1 g |
| Saturated Fat | N/A |
| Cholesterol | N/A |
| Sodium | 90 mg |
| Protein | 21 g |
| Omega-3 | N/A |
How to Cook Skate Wing?
According to Wiki How, the best way to cook a skate wing involves three different methods. They are as follows:
Method #1 – Pan-Frying
Step 1 – Set a large non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet and pour about 3-Tsp of olive oil.
Heat the oil for a minute by setting the burner to medium-high heat. Use regular olive oil as it carries a higher smoke point and prevents burns.
Step 2 – Take out a bowl and add 40g of flour, 2.5g of salt, and 0.5g of ground black pepper. Start stirring the mixture and dust the sides of the skate wings with it.
Step 3 – Place your skate wings on the skillet and fry it for a good 4-5 minutes. Flip the other side once it turns golden brown. You can easily fry two skate wings at a time.
Step 4 – Fry the other side for 5-6 minutes and use a spatula to assist you. You need to cook the fish until its flesh turns white and starts to pull away from its cartilage.
Step 5 – Transfer your skate wings to a nice plate and season it with some fresh lemons or a herb sauce. You can also serve it with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Method #2 – Oven Roasting
Step 1 – Start adjusting the oven racks and place one at the center. Proceed to preheat your oven to 395 degrees Fahrenheit. You need to do this before preparing the fish.
Step 2 – Begin drizzling 15ml of oil all across the base of your roasting pan. Proceed to sprinkle your skate wings with pepper and salt on both sides. Place them on the roasting pan.
Step 3 – You need to roast the skate wings for at least 15-18 minutes. You need to cook the skate wings until it is white and firm throughout. Use a fork to see if you can lift the flesh from its cartilage.
Step 4 – Use a spatula for transferring the fish to a nice plate. Squeeze some fresh lemons and serve it with some roasted vegetables, bread or steamed rice.
Method #3 – Sautéing
Step 1 – Take out two skate wings and fully dry it by patting. Scatter its wings with pepper and salt on both sides. It will remove the moisture and successfully help brown the fish down.
Step 2 – Place a heavy skillet on your stove and pour in 44ml of olive oil. Set the burner to medium-high heat and keep it on for a minute. You can also use canola oil or vegetable oil as a substitute.
Step 3 – Start cooking your skate wings for three minutes and avoid moving them. It will help you achieve an evenly brown appearance and a crust. Remember to swirl the pan at times to prevent the oil from pooling.
Step 4 – Use a flat spatula for flipping the wings. Add about 50g of unsalted butter by cutting them into cubes. The butter will give your fish a buttery, silky flavor.
Step 5 – Sauté your fish for another good three minutes until it achieves a brownish appearance. The flesh needs to be opaque and white.
Step 6 – Place the wings on a nice plate and spill the remaining buttery juices. You can serve the dish with some steamed rice, green leafy salads, or a simple vegetable puree.
Caution – The skate wings are quite delicate, so you need to be watchful of the heat and the way you are cooking it.
Plus, you need to buy the ones that are firm and pinkish. Avoid buying skate wings that have a dull and brownish appearance as it will probably taste like urine.
Conclusion
Skate wings are not as well-known as the other seafood; however, its popularity starts to grow with time.
You can cook and eat it in a ton of ways, from pan-frying to sautéing the wings.
They are a delicacy and also comes with multiple health advantages. So, it is a win-win situation for you.
You can even enjoy cooking these two edible wings at home by following exciting recipes.
They are starting to get quite popular in the city of New York lately. Skate wings are finally recognition they deserve like other popular seafood.
What Does Skate Wing Taste Like? Does Skate Wing Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Skate wing
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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