English Sole Flavor Profile
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English Sole is one of about a dozen types of flatfish which are caught by commercial fisheries on the US West Coast. Many of these are sold as “Sole” but they are actually a flounder.
Like other flounders, English Sole has flesh with fine flakes, a firm texture and delicate flavor.
Typical Cooking Methods
- Bake
- Broil
- Deep-Fry
- Grill
- Poach
- Saute
- Smoke
- Steam
- Sushi
Alternate Names
California Sole, Lemon Sole, Pointed Nose Sole. Flounder sold as sashimi or sushi is called Hirame.
English Sole Description (Parophrys vetulus)
English Sole are a small, right-eyed flounder with an average weight of under one pound. They are light reddish-brown in color with a maximum length of 22 inches (55 cm) and maximum weight of 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg). Some sources say that English Sole is in the top four of West Coast flatfish catches, while other sources say that it is primarily a by-catch fish.
Fresh English Sole Availability
Fresh seafood availability chart: green areas show peak availability, light green show limited availability, gray indicates not available fresh.
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English Sole Yield Percentage and Recovery
Item | To Skn/On Fillets | To Skn/Off Fillets | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Whole Undressed Head/On | 27% | Fillets avg 1 – 2 oz | |
Whole Head/Off gutted | 42% |
Range & Habitat
English Sole are found along the US West Coast from the Baja California in Mexico to the Bering sea and Aleutian Islands. They are found at depths of up to 1800 feet deep on soft, sandy and muddy bottoms.
Typical Wholesale Products
Fresh or frozen fillets averaging 1 to 2 oz.
Nutritional Informationbased upon a 6 oz (171 grams) raw edible serving.
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Comments from before Site Migration
Suggested Reading
English sole has a distinged iodine smell. People who like that fish will recognise that. It is not as strong when cooked. Nice and flaky when cooked.