It’s no secret that Ina Garten has top-notch taste. As diehard fans know Garten even has a favorite salt. But her skills extend far beyond grocery shopping in America; she’s also got a nose for what to buy when shopping in Paris. In a recent segment for “Today” Garten showed off some of her favorite Parisian buys. In addition to the obvious picks like a long baguette fresh from the bakery she revealed her taste for a predominantly European fish called turbot. Usually found in beds of gravel and sand rather than the open ocean turbot lives primarily around the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Morocco to Norway. This flatfish is known for its white flesh with a subtle sweet flavor.
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Ina Garten's Mustard-Roasted Fish | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network
Garten gets her turbot from the Poisonnerie du Bac in the city’s 7th arrondissement. The fishmonger peels and prepares all kinds of fish from sea bass to monkfish and also sells a lot of shellfish. “It’s my favorite fish in Paris” Garten says of the turbot. “I’m going to bring it back and make a mustard-roasted fish.” It’s a Garten specialty made with both Dijon and whole-grain mustard topped with crème fraîche shallots and capers.
As a flatfish turbot isn’t the prettiest creature around. But for most chefs it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Diners in particular are drawn to its bright white flesh which is known for its juiciness. Turbot can also be a big fish: larger specimens can be over 3 feet wide and weigh around 33 pounds making for formidable fillets. Expect a buttery texture pleasantly flaky flesh and a delicate yet rich flavor. It’s a good source of protein and also provides essential amino acids and vitamins A B12 and C (to name a few).
Expect to pay a premium for turbot especially if you’re looking for wild turbot—only about 5000 tons are caught each year. Prices for the wild version vary but can range from €38 to more than €50 per kilogram in France (about €17 to €22 per pound or $15 to $20). Prices for farmed turbot are generally much lower. But if you’re buying it in the United States even the farmed fish can cost around $47 per pound. Farmed turbot is considered a sustainable seafood choice; the sustainability of wild turbot varies depending on where it’s fished.
