Burbot fish: benefits and harm to the body

Burbot is a popular commercial fish from the Cod family. This species is the only freshwater representative of the cod-like. It is a valuable fish for the food industry, which is incredibly useful for humans. Regular use of the product can significantly improve the body and bring a lot of other beneficial effects.

What does burbot look like and where is it

Burbot is a fish that lives in the natural environment only on the Eurasian continent. In other places, it is not found, although in small volumes it is grown artificially. The most common and numerous fish populations in Siberia. Also in large quantities, burbot is present in the rivers of Finland, in the Scandinavian countries, in China and in many Asian rivers. In the past, this fish also inhabited freshwater bodies of Western Europe, but today it is not found there. Environmentalists attribute this to the deterioration of rivers and lakes.

Here's what the burbot fish looks like:

1. Weight - up to 30–35 kg.
2. The body is elongated, with a rounded back, can reach a length of 150 cm.
3. The head is flat, rounded, may be the largest body.
4. The mouth is large, with the lower lip protruding forward.
5. The teeth are in the form of bristles, short antennae located on the upper jaw and one on the chin.
6. Skin color varies by region and habitat.
7. The most common colors are black, gray-green, brown.
8. Rounded spots are present on the body and on the fins.
9. On the back there are two fins - long and short.
10. Anal fin occupies the entire tail.
11. Lateral fins are not too long.
12. The eyes are small, dark.

Most often, fishermen catch burbots that weigh between 5-7 kg. This fish is also grown commercially under artificial conditions. The catch is delivered to canning factories, as well as to stores and distribution networks for sale fresh or frozen.

What is the difference between burbot and catfish

Quite often, inexperienced anglers confuse burbot and catfish. These are two completely different fish, although they have common features. For those who want to engage in self-fishing or be able to distinguish when buying, it is important to know the differences. Burbot is similar to a catfish in that it also has an antennae, it is an exceptionally freshwater variety, it has a similar shape to the body and head. But in some nuances, burbot is different:

• he has a feature - a mustache on his chin;
• mustache over the upper jaw less than 2-3 times;
• the length of the body is a maximum of 1.5–1.7 m, and the catfish can grow more;
• marginal weight is also less;
• the burbot skin color is several times lighter and there are spots on it.

The taste also differs - catfish is fatter, its fillet gives off the smell and taste of mud. He also has behavioral characteristics. Burbot is an active fish that continues to lead a familiar lifestyle even in the winter. Catfish is maximally active only in the summer, from May to June. All the rest of the time he spends at a depth, burrowing in the sands and silt, hiding in snags and depressions, where there is at least some kind of living creature that he can use as food.

Composition and calorie content

The rich chemical composition of this fish is the reason for its popularity. The presence of a huge amount of useful substances in burbot is the basis of the properties of this product. It is important to know what this product contains.This will help determine whether to include it in your diet or replace it with some other kind of fish. Researchers have identified the following valuable substances in burbot:

• iron, manganese, molybdenum, copper, zinc, selenium;
• unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids;
• sterols (beneficial cholesterol that is involved in cell division);
• retinol and vitamin E;
• phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sulfur, sodium, magnesium;
• cobalamin, folate, vitamin PP;
• pantothenic acid;
• thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin;
• amino acids.

In its composition, this fish is not inferior to many vitamin and mineral preparations used in the treatment of deficiency of nutrients. But the product has an advantage that makes it more valuable than tablets - it is completely absorbed by the body and has no side effects. Calorie burbot from 80 to 90 kcal, depending on age and habitat. The larger the fish, the more fat in it, which increases its nutritional value.

Useful properties of burbot

General benefit

Burbot is an incredibly valuable food product that can support the functioning of various systems and organs. The rich composition of this fish provides beneficial properties. Doctors recommend that everyone who does not have contraindications to include the product in their diet because it produces the following preventive and therapeutic effects.

1. Gives a prolonged feeling of satiety, thereby preventing episodes of overeating.
2. Contains proteins that are quickly and completely absorbed by the human body in a short time.
3. Promotes rapid recovery of strength and muscle tissue after vigorous physical exertion.
4. Significantly reduces the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction, prevents clogging of capillaries with cholesterol, is the best way to prevent thrombosis. Prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels.
   In general, it has a beneficial effect on the health of the cardiovascular system.
5. It has a beneficial effect on the health of the autonomic and central nervous system, prevents neurological pathologies, significantly stimulates brain activity, improves memory, increases concentration and promotes the development of intellectual potential.
6. Due to the presence of fatty acids, B vitamins and mineral compounds, it increases the body's resistance, helps it resist infections.
7. Due to the abundance of fatty acids, fish is good for the eyes and is used for various disorders associated with the functioning of the visual apparatus.
8. Due to the high concentration of minerals, this product protects against osteoporosis, arthritis and generally helps strengthen bone and cartilage.

There are also special beneficial properties of this fish, which are relevant in certain physiological conditions. They may also vary by gender.

For women

Burbot is especially valuable for women's health. The body of the fair sex is subject to high hormonal loads, and the mineral compounds that make up this product help maintain balance. Regular consumption of this fish gives the following benefits to women:

• normalizes the menstrual cycle;
• prevents reproductive dysfunction;
• protects against breast and genital cancer;
• contributes to maintaining a beautiful figure and harmony;
• improves the appearance of skin, hair, nails.

Women can use this fish in their diet if they are not allergic to it. If there are no contraindications, you can eat burbot every day and not be afraid for a figure. It is low-calorie, but it contains a huge amount of valuable substances that spur metabolic processes.

For men

Men can also appreciate the benefits of this fish if they consume it on an ongoing basis. Recent clinical studies have shown that fatty acids, which are part of fish oil, have beneficial effects on reproductive function in men.They increase immunity, due to which they protect the representatives of the stronger sex from infections of the genitourinary system, prostatitis and other health problems associated with the weakening of protective mechanisms.

This fish also contains fats and vitamins that have the effect of antioxidants. Due to this, it is useful as a prophylactic that protects internal organs from malignant neoplasms. Burbot can be used in the diet of men and as a source of easily digestible animal proteins. This component of the product is necessary to maintain reproductive function, it protects against early impotence and other problems in the genital area.

During pregnancy

There is only one reason for refusing burbot during pregnancy - it is an allergic reaction to fish. In other cases, this product will only benefit the woman and her child. It contains mineral compounds that contribute to the proper development of the skeleton, strengthen the bones of the fetus.

There is also folic acid and iron in the fish - these are the components that maintain the desired level of hemoglobin. Due to these components, it will be possible to avoid the common problem that often develops in pregnant women - anemia, which is fraught with negative consequences for the development of the fetus. Hemoglobin deficiency leads to the fact that the supply of the embryo with oxygen is disrupted, and hypoxia provokes various malformations.

The fatty acids that this product is rich in support the immunity of a pregnant woman and contribute to the normal development of the child’s nervous system. Minerals help maintain a normal hormonal background, and also protect against increased irritability, depression and mental disorders. Pregnant women who eat a lot of fish during the gestation period are much less likely to experience postpartum depression and recover faster after the baby is born.

When breastfeeding

For good lactation, it is very important that a woman is well fed. Experts unanimously recommend that nursing mothers include fish in their diet as a source of healthy fats and easily digestible animal proteins. But these are not all the benefits of burbot that can be used during breastfeeding.

Fish is a source of valuable minerals that allow the woman herself to prevent exhaustion and at the same time also penetrate the baby’s body with milk, which strengthens her bones, promotes the normal development of teeth, and supports the nervous system. You can use this product almost immediately after the birth of the baby, but it is important to consult a doctor and make sure that there are no contraindications.

For children

Children need protein for growth, as well as calcium for skeletal development. If there are not enough of these components in the diet, various health problems can occur. Due to calcium deficiency, children suffer from dental problems, sleep poorly and become restless. Due to the lack of magnesium, their speed of intellectual development decreases, memory and concentration of attention deteriorate. Due to the deficiency of fatty acids, children develop immunity problems, they often catch a cold and suffer from infectious diseases.

Burbot fish is the source of all of these components, so its benefits to the child's body are obvious. The only drawback is the presence of a large number of bones. But this problem can be solved in two ways. Firstly, cook the fish so that the bones are completely softened and cease to be dangerous (for example, in a slow cooker). Secondly, choose them or grind. It is strictly forbidden to use raw fish or poorly processed fish in the diet of children - this can lead to infection with parasitic infections. Also, do not give too often fried fish - this negatively affects the functioning of the digestive system.

When losing weight

Burbot is a real find for those who are losing weight.This fish is very useful in that it contains only 80–90 kcal per 100 g, but it quickly saturates and satisfies hunger. If you use this product in the diet on an ongoing basis, you can significantly increase the results of weight loss. In addition, burbot contains fatty acids, which contribute to the rapid breakdown of subcutaneous fat in the body. Mineral compounds and vitamins help to speed up metabolism.

In addition, burbot is a source of minerals that are essential for the safe fight against excess weight. This product can be used in the menu of rigid diets, which imply serious restrictions. Thanks to the inclusion of fish in the diet, you can avoid problems with the skin, hair, and nails. The presence of proteins (up to 19%) allows you to preserve muscle mass and draw relief. This product is great for a protein diet, if you need to “dry” the body, that is, reduce the percentage of fat.

What are the benefits of burbot liver

Burbot liver is as healthy as cod. It is canned, used fried, boiled. This product is as useful as it contains about 65% fat. It contains polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids, which have a beneficial effect on the immune system, support the functioning of the brain, and protect against inflammatory processes and infections.

It is especially useful to use burbot liver for those who have a tendency to dermatitis, skin diseases. This product has a beneficial effect on the skin condition in autoimmune diseases. It must be consumed by those who undergo long-term treatment of chronic diseases. In ancient times, burbot liver was used as a powerful cure for tuberculosis. It is characteristic that the fat from this product is still used, but already in the form of pharmaceutical preparations used in the complex therapy of pulmonary diseases.

Burbot liver is an incredibly high-calorie product, as it contains up to 65–70% of fat. In 100 g, about 600-620 kcal, only 4.5 g of protein. This product must be included in the diet in small portions. You can use it as a medicine - take 1 teaspoon of liver pate every morning during the cold season. The use of burbot liver is not recommended for those who have liver diseases accompanied by impaired functioning of this organ. Also, temporarily need to abandon the product during an exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases and with diarrhea.

Is burbot caviar useful

Burbot caviar is a real delicacy, but, in addition to its unique taste, it also contains a lot of useful substances that produce healing effects in the human body. The value of fish is concentrated in this product. Caviar can be used for breakfast and dinner, without fear for a figure, because it is completely absorbed and has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes. The main beneficial effects of consuming burbot eggs:

• increased visual acuity, prevention of myopia;
• protection against heart and vascular diseases;
• splitting of cholesterol plaques and deposits on the walls of capillaries;
• prevention of cancer and benign tumors;
• activation of the immune system, increasing the body's resistance;
• strengthening bones and joints, preventing arthritis and arthrosis;
• increase skin firmness and elasticity;
• improving the appearance of hair and strengthening nails.

As you can see, burbot caviar is a valuable product. Preparing it is quite simple, the main thing is to know and comply with the technology.

How to pickle

Fishing during the spawning season is strictly prohibited, but in certain regions this is permitted in regulated quantities. It is also often possible to purchase burbot with caviar in the market or in stores where this product is supplied from private farms, where it is specially grown for sale. In such cases, if there is caviar in the fish, you can pick up salting. This is easy enough to do. Here is a list of ingredients that will be needed to prepare the most delicate and healthy delicacy:

• 600 g of caviar;
• 250 ml of water;
• 2.5 tablespoons of salt;
• spices (optional, optional).

First you need to properly cut the fish, that is, choose the insides so that the film that contains the caviar is not damaged. Then put all the bags of eggs on a colander or a fine sieve, spill with boiled water and let drain. The next step is to remove the films so that the caviar is crumbly. Water for the preparation of brine should be taken only boiled, cooled to 12-15 degrees, and preferably generally ice. Dissolve salt in it and strain so that there are no impurities, pour caviar and close the lid. To sustain 3 days in the refrigerator, then add vegetable oil and put up for storage.

Is it possible to eat burbot milk

Burbot milk can also be eaten, like caviar. They can be salted separately. This product is very useful, especially for men's health, in addition, it is rich in protein and fatty acids. Milk contains substances that have beneficial effects on the nerves, stimulate the functioning of the brain, and support the autonomic nervous system. The offal is especially valuable for those who are often sick and prone to skin diseases. It can be used as a powerful natural hepatoprotector.

To maximize the potential of this product, it is important to know how to use it correctly. It is recommended to heat the milk, i.e. fry it. You can salt, but in this case there are risks. The fact is that burbot, like many river fish, is very susceptible to infection with opisthorchiasis. These are parasites that can affect muscle tissue and internal organs. Therefore, it is undesirable to eat raw fish. This is especially true for products caught in the rivers of Siberia. It is there that the most favorable conditions for the spread of this type of parasite are found.

Harm and contraindications

Burbot is the most useful dietary fish that can be used even for various diseases, when you have to give up many products of animal origin. This fish should be completely excluded from the diet only if allergic to it. In other cases, it will only benefit if it is cooked correctly. To make the fish healthy, it is better to cook in the oven, boil or stew, but do not fry in oil. But even fried fish retains all the valuable substances and can be useful if, after cooking, dip it with paper towels to remove excess fat.

The potential harm to the product is that it can cause infection with parasites. To avoid this, the fish is frozen or cooked at high temperature. If salting or smoking is planned, do not use fresh fish. It is better to throw it first in the freezer, using the quick freeze mode and hold there for 3 days. Extremely low temperatures will make the parasite larvae unviable.

How to choose and store

Buy fresh burbot is far from available in all regions. If in the vicinity there are rivers or artificial reservoirs where this fish is bred, you can safely purchase it. But if there are no water arteries nearby, unscrupulous sellers can give out fresh-frozen fish for a fresh product. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to this. The rules for choosing a quality fresh product are universal:

1. Look at your eyes - they should not be cloudy and overdried.
2. Check the carcass elasticity - it should easily restore shape when pressed, finger dents remain only on rotten fish.
3. Assess the condition of the skin - it should be shiny, not loose, without damage.
4. Paying attention to smell is the main indicator of freshness.
5. Take a look at the gills - they should not be gray or pale.

Store fish in the refrigerator for no more than 48 hours. If you can freeze, then it will remain fresh for another 2 months. After preparing the burbot, you need to eat for 3 days, store exclusively in the refrigerator.

How to clean burbot

Burbot is a fish special in every sense, it has a feature that makes it even more valuable for cooking. The fact is that she does not have scales, in the traditional sense of the word. There are tiny scales on the burbot skin, but they do not need to be cleaned off before cooking, as during the frying process they become soft and do not feel at all. This greatly facilitates the cooking process. The cutting algorithm consists of five steps.

1. First rinse the fish under cold water and sprinkle with salt. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off the mucus.
2. Next, use a sharp knife or cutting scissors to rip open the belly.
3. Choose the insides carefully so as not to damage them. From the edible inside - the liver, milk or caviar.
4. It is good to clean the abdominal cavity, remove all fragments of the dark film, because it gives a bitter taste.
5. Then choose the gills or cut off the head completely if the fish will cook without it. Throw away the head is not necessary, it is better to put it in your ear.

Further cutting depends on which recipe is selected. If you need to get fillets, you can make an incision along the back, choose a ridge, and pour over the skin with boiling water. She can easily be removed with her fingers. You can cut the carcass into portions or bake the whole baking dish.

How to cook burbot delicious: recipes

Burbot is a versatile fish, from it you can cook dozens of different delicious dishes for both the festive table and daily meals. Below are the most popular recipes that can be used to surprise guests or household members with a useful culinary masterpiece.

In the oven

There are two ways to bake burbot in the oven - in whole or in pieces. This fish cooks very quickly, and if you choose the right spices and seasonings, the taste will be very expressive and delicate.

The first way to cook in the oven as a whole, step by step instructions:

1. Choose the fish according to the size of the baking sheet, in extreme cases it will be possible to arrange it diagonally or curl up in a semicircle.
2. Remove gills and viscera, rinse abdominal cavity and dry with paper towels.
3. Cover the baking sheet with foil, lay on it circles of lemon on which the fish will install.
4. Take a mixture of spices, a tablespoon of lemon juice, the same amount of vegetable oil or mayonnaise, mix and spread burbot.
5. Put a couple of thin slices of lemon in the belly and put the fish on a baking sheet, cover with foil.
6. Bake at a temperature of 180 degrees for 40-50 minutes, before completing cooking, open the foil so that a delicious crust forms.

The second way to bake slices with potatoes, step by step instructions:

1. Peel the burbot and cut into batch pieces.
2. Salt, drizzle with oil and lemon juice.
3. Cut potatoes into slices, salt, pepper, add cream.
4. Put potatoes in the form, and fish on top.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour at a temperature of 180-200 degrees.

Be sure to serve hot burbot dishes. When it cools, palatability deteriorates. But the fish can be heated in the microwave or in the oven before serving.

In the pan

The easiest way to fry burbot in a pan. This is the least time consuming and fastest way to cook. It is necessary to cut the carcass into small pieces, not more than 3 cm, salt, sprinkle with seasonings or pepper, dump in flour and fry until golden brown in vegetable oil.You can cook without it. But in this case, it is important that the fish is well cooked inside. Use a non-stick pan.

In a slow cooker

A slow cooker is an excellent device for preparing burbot dishes intended for children. In this device, you can boil the fish so that her bones become soft and not dangerous. To cook burbot in a slow cooker, you need the following ingredients:

• 1 kg of fish;
• 800 g of fresh or canned tomatoes in their own juice;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 onion;
• 1 tablespoon flour;
• salt, pepper, bay leaf.

You can mill the fish, that is, remove the bones, or just cut into pieces. But first you need to fry the onions and carrots, add flour at the end and bring to a golden color. After that, to fry, send the tomatoes, grated through a sieve, without skin and put slices of burbot in this sauce. Add salt, spices, you can add a little sugar to enhance the taste, select the “Stew” mode and cook for 1.5–2 hours.

On the grill

You can cook delicious fish with the aroma of smoke on the grill. To pickle burbot, it is best to use a mixture of spices, lemon juice, vegetable oil and regular onions. Mix the sliced ​​fish with the marinade prepared from the listed ingredients and leave it in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Fry on skewers or on a grill, which is preliminarily greased with plenty of oil. You can also use special portioned forms for cooking fish on the grill. The whole carcass is placed in them, they are very convenient to turn over, without risk of damaging the integrity of the product.

What can be prepared from burbot: recipes

The choice of recipe depends on personal preference. There are many ways to make this fish a real culinary masterpiece. The following describes delicious recipes that have not lost their popularity for several decades and are passed down from generation to generation.

Ear

Burbot fish soup is the favorite delicacy of fishermen who go fishing overnight, take pots with them and cook at the stake. In such conditions, it turns out to be the most delicious ear, and if 10 minutes before the end of the readiness, dip a smoldering twig in the cauldron for a second, the taste and aroma will be unsurpassed. But you can cook fish soup from this fish at home. Here is a popular recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 burbot head and 500 g fillet;
• 3.5 liters of water;
• 1 kg of potatoes;
• 2 medium-sized carrots;
• 1 onion;
• 1 bell pepper;
• dill and parsley;
• a handful of canned olives;
• spices to taste.

You need to clean and cut the fish into pieces, remove the bones. Rinse the head, remove the gills and pour cold water, boil for 30 minutes over low heat. Remove the pan, strain the broth and send potato, peeled and diced, carrot slices, whole onion into it. When the potatoes are almost ready, add salt and send the sliced ​​fillet into the pan. After 10-15 minutes, turn off the stove, add chopped herbs, spices and olives and leave the soup to infuse for another 10 minutes.

Cutlets

From burbot fillet very tender diet cutlets are obtained that can be eaten in unlimited quantities by children and adults. For cooking, you need the following ingredients:

• 3 slices of loaf;
• 700 g fish fillet;
• 1 egg
• medium sized onion;
• clove of garlic;
• salt and pepper.

Bread should be soaked in milk, squeezed and chopped. Scroll the fillet into a bowl in a meat grinder, preferably several times, to guarantee crushing all the bones remaining in it, grind the onion at the very end. Knead minced meat with ground fillet with onion, crushed garlic, crumb of bread and eggs, salt and pepper, cool and form cutlets. You can roll them breaded before frying. If you add a little turmeric and paprika to the crushed crackers, the cutlets will turn out to be more appetizing and fragrant.

Pate

A delicious burbot paste can be prepared with butter, onions and carrots. Need to cut the fish and milling. Sprinkle strips of fillet with lemon juice, salt and fry. Separately cook the frying of onions and carrots in butter. Mix the finished fillet with frying, grind with a blender to the desired consistency, add butter at the very end at the rate of 100 g per 500 g of fish. Garnish with lemon slices or herbs before serving. Can be used for sandwiches and tartlets, spread on pita bread or on wafer cakes.

Canned food

In the families of fishermen in the winter it is customary to preserve the remnants of the catch, so each dynasty has its own, unique recipes for making burbot. But there is a universal technology that can be used without knowing any culinary secrets.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of fish (without head and intestines);
• 800 ml of vegetable oil;
• 1 glass of water;
• 50 ml of vinegar (only table);
• Bay leaf;
• 1 pod of hot pepper;
• 100 g of salt;
• ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and other spices to taste.

You need to cut the fish into pieces and put in clean, dry cans. Separately, prepare the marinade - boil water, add salt, vinegar and spices, pour into jars so that the liquid level is approximately in the middle of the containers. Top up with vegetable oil, roll up and send to a cold oven. Turn on the temperature of 180 degrees and bring to a boil. It is important to observe when bubbles begin to appear. Then immediately cover the oven and simmer for 5-6 hours at a centigrade temperature.

Interesting facts about burbot

Burbot - a very famous fish in the Russian Federation and abroad, is one of the most valuable species among the representatives of the river fauna. Here are some interesting facts about this variety:

1. In the old days, burbot was grown in artificial conditions for feeding foxes - this made their fur soft and fluffy.
2. In 1885, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov published a story about this fish, it is called “Burbot”.
3. The greatest catch is only in winter, this fish is maximally active when hungry.
4. Fish spawns during the most severe frosts, it has incredibly viable caviar.
5. The maximum lifespan of fish is 25 years.

Burbot - a useful product that can be used in the children's and adult menus. Knowing the features of cooking this fish, you can create real culinary masterpieces from it!

Burbot photo