The digestibility of fish varies with the different varieties, but as a general rule it may be stated that those with the smaller amount of fat are the more easily digested, and that fresh fish, though less rich in food values, is more easily assimilated than that smoked or dried. Canned uncured fish corresponds very closely in digestibility with the fresh fish of the same variety.
In buying 'fish, freshness should be insisted on as essential. The flesh should be firm and the skin and eyes bright. Avoid any whose meat is so soft that the pressure of the finger leaves a mark. Cleanliness both in storing and handling are very impor tant.
Most fish are at their best just before spawning time, except shad, which is con sidered the choicest when spawning; and when very fresh, except halibut, which improves in flavor with a little age. After spawning, fish loses greatly in quality—the flavor is less desirable and the flesh becomes soft.
It should be remembered that the ordinary temperature of a cooling room or re frigerator is not cold enough to keep fresh fish in prime condition. It should instead
be buried in fine cracked ice. For shipment and storage, it is frequently frozen into blocks of ice.
All fish should be thoroughly cleaned before cooking.
Dried, Salted, Smoked and Pickled fish should always be kept out of the sun and as cool as possible. If the brine dries out or leaks away in transit or in the cellar, rebrine them at once. Keep the barrel covered and use a special fish fork for hand ling the fish.
Smoked and cured fish of all kinds are best in cold weather.
Canned fish, as also all other kinds of canned goods, should be emptied into a china or glasS vessel or dish when the can is opened—it should never be left in the can.
Of the fresh fish, striped bass, butterfish, cod, rusk, eels, haddock, halibut, king fish, Spanish mackerel, pollack, Pacific salmon, imported sole and sturgeon are found in the eastern market all the year round. The others are, generally, in season in accord ance with the following list : See also additional matter concerning the fish mentioned in their respective alpha betical positions.