Skate wing

Skate Wing: Buying, Preparing, Cooking & Storing

Introduction

Skate wing is a delicious and underrated type of seafood that is gaining popularity in American cuisine. This article will provide information about what skate wings are, where to buy them online, and how to prepare, cook and store them.

Disclosure

Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.

What are skate wings?

What is a skate wing?

A skate wing is a bottom-dwelling fish that looks like a cross between a flounder and a stingray. Skates are commonly confused with the sting ray but skates are larger than rays and have longer, more pointed snouts. Skates are different from rays in that they lack a whip-like tail and stinging spines. Some skates, on the other hand, possess electric organs positioned near their tails. The major distinction between skates and rays is that skates lay eggs, whereas rays produce live young.

These popular fish are a member of the ray family and​ cousin of sharks, with pectoral fins that are so large that they appear to be wings; hence the name “skate wing.” However, most people never realize the resemblance to a wing, as fresh skate wing is usually purchased skinned and filleted.

They have cartilage instead of bones and are typically found in all the seas of the world. Their “wings” are composed of multiple strips of flesh separated by strips of cartilage. Size varies greatly by species, with the largest skate reaching weights up to 200 pounds but the average commercial size is about 8-10 pounds.

The skate wing is a fish that is sometimes served as a delicacy. It is often eaten in high-end restaurants and prized for its exquisite taste and texture. Skate wing has long been a favorite in French cuisine and is becoming increasingly popular with American chefs as they discover its mild, sweet taste and succulent flavor. Pan fried skate wings are the way the dish is prepared the most often.

Where is skate wing found?

Skates can be found in a variety of climates and environments, ranging from tropical seas to near-Arctic waters and from the shallows to depths of more than 8,900 feet. 

Skate wing sustainability

Is skate fish sustainable?

Skates have a very slow growth rate and, as a result, low reproductive rates. As a consequence, skates are at risk of overfishing and appear to be overfished, with populations declining in many parts of the world. But U.S. wild-caught winter skate is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.

Does skate wing contain mercury?

Although fish is an anti-aging superfood, elevated mercury levels can result from consuming the wrong kinds of fish. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need to be especially careful of mercury exposure, as fetuses and newborns are very sensitive to it.

That being said, the FDA reported a single sample of mercury in skate, which indicated that the mercury levels are low, although skate consumption has not been well-studied.  So skate wing is considered safe to eat in moderate amounts. Still, it is important to be aware of the potential risks before consuming skate wing or any other type of fish.

Ammonia smell

What if skate wing smells like ammonia?

Skate, like sharks, sometimes requires special treatment to realize their full potential. The skates are very primitive biologically, storing some uric acid in their flesh to maintain a proper osmotic balance. Upon death, the uric acid in the skate will sometimes develop an ammonia smell.

Skate wings that smell of ammonia will taste like ammonia. So if you are buying skate wings from a local fish mart and the smell of ammonia is strong, don’t buy them.

However, if the smell of ammonia is weak, you can rid skate of any ammoniated smell or flavor. Before cooking, soak the meat in acidulated water (one cup of vinegar to one gallon of water) for 30 minutes.

What does skate wing taste like?

Skate wing is a type of fish that is often compared to lobster or crab in terms of taste and texture. The flesh is dense and firm, with a slightly sweet flavor. It is also high in moisture, which helps to keep it moist and tender. However, skate wing should not be overcooked, as this will cause the flesh to become tough and rubbery. 

How to fillet skate wing

How to fillet the wing

Like sharks, skates have no bones, but rather a skeleton of cartilage that cooks nicely in a soup preparation once the fillets are taken off.

The best way to remove the skin is to take a pair of pliers and pull the skin clean off the flesh, then lay the skate with its gray (and spiky) side up. Pulling off the skin in this way takes a bit of strength, and if you lack it (or the necessary pair of pliers).

The second best option is taking a sharp knife and running the edge along the underside of the skin. The other side of the wing is covered by a white, leathery piece of skin that can be removed in the same way to expose a small, thinner fillet.

How to cook skate wings

There are two primary methods of cooking skate wings– pan-frying and poaching. In either case, keep in mind that the filet is not only thin, but also deeply grooved. This allows for fast heat penetration, so be careful not to overcook it. When poaching skate, overcooking will cause the fillet to fall apart on the corrugations.

Skate wing is often paired with capers. You can poach the fillets in wine and stock or brown them, lightly dredged in flour, in a hot pan with unsalted butter and olive oil. To augment the sourness of the sauce, add tomatoes to the base of capers and shallots, and mix it with olive oil for a richer flavor. Serve immediately.

If you do purchase a whole skate wing from a fresh fish market, cut the cartilage into smaller pieces to use for fish soup or stew. The cartilage adds substance to the stock, and if you leave some flesh on the bone, it will taste both tender and flavorsome.

Pan fried skate wing

Pan fried skate wing

Skate wing with brown butter goes well with simple rice dishes or mashed potatoes. Serve skate with a glass of nice white wine which perfectly matches skate cooked in in brown butter.  Here’s a detailed recipe.

Here’s a recipe for the popular combination of skate wings and capers.

How to Store Skate Fish

Refrigerating

Most fish, including skate fish, will only stay fresh for a maximum of 2-3 days. The best way to reheat it is wrapped in foil and placed in the oven on low heat, or in a skillet over low heat with additional butter.

Freezing

Can you freeze skate wings? Yes, but since freshness is a big issue, skate wings are best kept cold and used immediately. If you choose to keep them, skin and remove the meat from the bone, then freeze the fillets.

Skate wing nutritional benefits

What are the nutritional benefits of skate wings?

Skate wings are low in calories and fats, contain no carbs or sugars and a 250-gram portion contains 26g of protein.

In addition, skate wings contain several valuable micronutrients:

  • Vitamin B12: Not only does this help reduce tiredness and fatigue, but it also supports your mental health and immune system function.
  • Phosphorus: Contributes to the healthy functioning of all your cells, energy production, bone and tooth health, and growth in children.
  • Vitamin B6: This boosts your immune system, mental state, blood health and energy levels while also supporting healthy hair growth.
  • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Helps with energy production, blood health, vision, cell protection and fatigue reduction.
  • Iodine: Helps maintain a healthy thyroid, provides energy, benefits the nervous system, and aids in children’s growth.
  • Niacin: Helps with energy production, mental health, nervous system function, and reducing tiredness and fatigue. May also help prevent cancer.

Where to buy skate wing online

  1. Fulton Fish Market – Their fishmongers’ commitment to excellence has made them the most trusted name in seafood for over 200 years. They hand-select, inspect and pack your seafood in order to ensure premium quality and safety.
  2. Sea2Table – Their fish is responsibly caught from healthy oceans as US fisheries are closely monitored and managed by a strict science-based system.
  3. Red’s Best – Red’s Best was founded in 2008 by Jared Auerbach. As a young fisherman from Boston, Jared worked on commercial vessels in Alaska and Cape Cod during the early 2000s. He set out to create a way for consumers to have direct access to the freshest seafood. 

Other articles of interest

Halibut Cheeks: Answers to the 9 Top Questions

11 Reasons Why PEI Mussels are the Best

Calamari Fish: The Versatile & Tasty Seafood

Cherrystone clams: The tasty & nutritional powerhouse

9 Things You Didn’t Know About Kumamoto Oysters

Summary

Summary

Skate wings are a mild-tasting, sweet fish that is becoming increasingly popular in American cuisine. The wings can be cooked in a variety of ways, and are often paired with capers. Skate wing is low in calories and fats, and contains several valuable micronutrients. Skate wing is best kept cold and used immediately. Fulton Fish Market, Sea2Table, and Red’s Best are all good online sources for skate wing.

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