Skin On Fish in Durham/Chapel Hill

[burgeoningfoodie]

Does anyone know if Whole Foods sells whole fish that is only be cleaned on the inside and still has its scales/skin on? If not, where I may be able to purchase such fish?

[burgeoningfoodie]

So how do I tell them.. I need 2 whole red snappers with the scales on but the organs removed... I'm trying to do this recipe

http://www.hulu.com/watch/60549

I don't want to take fish home and then discover that there are odd bits. I've never gotten a whole fish before and so I don't know what is or is not inside a fish before it is read to be made.

Thanks for the help.

[chazzer]

Yes, but the whole fish out will have the scales and organs removed already. Just go and talk to them.

[bbqme]

If you go to Li Ming's just tell them what you want. What you're asking is common among Asian customers.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Okay sorry if that sounded like stupid questions. My naive self will learn by doing :-) Thanks.

[meatn3]

Often WF has already scaled the fish. You might want to phone and check that snapper is available and explain what you want. If they don't have it they can usually obtain it on the next order.

This link is a pretty good fish primer:
http://thekitchenista.com/index.php?o......
I like the lists of similar types of fish - very handy if you need to substitute when the market is out of what you wanted!

Oh, re: you past posting about salt - Costco has the big box of Morton's Kosher for $1.58 iirc. I often find sea salt in the tall cylinder at Ollie's and Big Lots for $1 or so.

Recipe looks delicious!

[burgeoningfoodie]

I got it at whole foods just because it was on the way and I knew they had the scales on. Went and scoped them out a few days before hand.

[meatn3]

Looks great! Would you make it again?

[burgeoningfoodie]

It is easy enough so yes. Just messy with the salt and need to learn how to get the fillet out in one piece.

[burgeoningfoodie]

How far ahead do you have to say.. hey I'd like the fish prepared in X way?

[chazzer]

When you buy it. They will have whole fish gutted and scaled and only after your pick it out and have it weighed will it be prepared. Price is by whole weight and not prepared weight.

[durhamois]

I second Li Ming's.

[LulusMom]

Or you could go to Tom Robinson's. In my experience they'll do pretty much whatever you want to the fish (if somewhat grumpily).

[bbqme]

Yes, Whole Foods usually has a couple of whole fish options. I'd go to Li Ming's for best selection and prices.